Family Bible Event
On Monday, May 22, 2023, the Charleston Library Society hosted “Huguenot Collection Highlights featuring the Mazÿck family Bibles of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina. This event included items from the Library’s collection alongside family Bibles from the Huguenot Society. Charleston Library Society conservationist, James Davis displayed the recently conserved Bible of the Gaillard family and the in-progress Mazÿck Bible. The Bibles were donated to the Society in 2018 and 1945, respectively. Huguenot Society Collections Manager and Librarian, Ella James, eagerly awaits the completion of the Mazÿck Bible after seeing the beautifully conserved Gaillard Bible. The conservation of these Bibles would not be possible without the support of Huguenot Society of South Carolina Board Member, Rick Wilson.
At the event, Rick Wilson delivered a presentation on the Mazÿck family. During this presentation he explained that the Bible was older than the records inside stating, “[Isaac Mazÿck] purchased The Bible in 1712, but he goes back to 1694.” This was followed by Davis’ account of the conservation process. The Mazÿck Bible was in poor condition and suffering from “Red Rot.” This is a result of the deterioration of the leather that binds the book and requires extensive repair. To reverse the effects of Red Rot, Davis explained “the spine is removed and replaced with new leather. All pages are consolidated, and a thin layer of wax is applied.”
Ella James reflected on the importance of conservation stating, “What it boils down to is access to information. Conservation stabilizes objects so they may continue to be accessible as sources of information.” Ella went on to say, “A family Bible is one that is passed down through the family. In most cases it holds family records of marriages, births and deaths in a family. Oftentimes it is the only record we have, especially when it comes to the Civil War years when courthouse and other record depositories were burned.”
Pictured from left to right: Richard Wilson, James Davis, Elizabeth Gay, Hagood Morrison, Ella James.
If you have any books that you wish to donate to or share with the Society, please contact Ella James via collections@huguenotsociety.org or call the office at 843-723-3235.