The Charming Betsy was an American ship sold to Jared Shattuck, an American who pledged allegiance to Denmark. The ship was captured by a French national, but was later recaptured by Alexander Murray, an American ship captain. Murray was acting according to a law that prohibited commerce between the United States and France. Murray believed Shattuck violated the act, and sold the ship to the French, under the guise that the ship was stolen. The trial court held that Murray's seizure was illegal and that the ship had to be returned. Murray appealed and the courts approved.

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Treatment Overview: ​

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•  Solubility testing of the inks was completed using  DI water, 1:1 DI water and ethanol, and ethanol. The inks were stable in all solvents tested. 

• The pages were surface cleaned using a soft brush, latex-free polyurethane sponges, and a vinyl eraser.

• The bifolia were washed in pH adjusted waters (8.5 using calcium hydroxide) and allowed to dry.

• Paper pulp was selected and blended to match the tone of the bifolia.

• Fragile areas were mended with toned dry tear strips and Lascaux 498 HV.

• Pages were repaired with a leaf caster and then sized with 0.75% 200 bloom Gelatin B on a suction table.

• The casts were allowed to dry under felts.

• Repaired bifolia were trimmed and then sewn into a five-hole double-pamphlet binding using western paper endsheets. The paper cover was constructed out of blue University of Iowa Center for the Book case paper.