As one of the directors of Bainbridge Conservation, I specialise in the conservation and preservation of books and works on paper, working with libraries, museums, historic houses, dealers, and private collectors.
With over 20 years of experience in both the US and UK, I bring a thoughtful, practical, and collaborative approach to each project. Alongside my studio work, I’ve taught conservation in further and higher education, assess Icon accreditation candidates and apprentices, and mentor students and early career professionals—many of whom join me in my Southeast London studio through internships and placements. My approach is rooted in a deep understanding of historic craft and use, guided by scientific insight into how materials age and degrade, and always adapted to the unique needs of each object and context. In 2023 I edited “the book” on book conservation—Conservation of Books (Routledge), written by 70 authors in 35 countries.
You can catch a glimpse of my work on Hidden Treasures of the National Trust (Season 2, Episode 1), where I treated the extraordinary Shell Gallery at the 18th-century A La Ronde—one of my most rewarding recent projects.
Condition Assessment
Book & Paper Studio
Allison Smithson Scrapbook
Map of Chelsea
Watercolour W10, Shell Gallery, A la Ronde
Accredited Members
Abigail Bainbridge ACR
Abigail is a book conservator and Director of Bainbridge Conservation. She has taught extensively on the degree programmes at West Dean College, Camberwell College of Art, and City & Guilds of London Art School, as well as on bookbinding and conservation courses at Richmond Art School, Morley College, City Lit, Women’s Studio Workshop, and London Centre for Book Arts. She has an MA in Conservation Studies from West Dean College and a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Abigail is an Icon accreditation assessor and mentor, sits on the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Heritage Science Expert Working Group, and was Treasurer then Chair of the Icon Book & Paper Group for eight years. She is the editor of Conservation of Books (Routledge 2023).
Tristram Bainbridge ACR
Tristram is a furniture conservator specialising in Asian lacquer. He has been a furniture conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum since 2011. He has lectured in conservation at West Dean College, City & Guilds of London Art School, and Camberwell College of Arts. He has an MA in Conservation Studies from West Dean College and a BA Hons in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute.
Tristram is an accredited member of Icon, serving on the Furniture & Wood Group committee, and is a trustee of the Anna Plowden Trust.
Client testimonials
Bainbridge Conservation and Abby have been consummate professionals as long as I have used their services, able to handle a wide range of conservation issues sensitively and with aesthetic sense. Their quotations and timeframes are accurate and promptly met.
They bring a spirit of rigorous intellectual curiosity to their work which makes them an educational delight to a trade client like me - and results in thoughtful, effective work tailored to the needs of each object. I do not hesitate to recommend them to friends and clients as a first port of call.
N. G. McBurney
Early printing & manuscripts of the Islamic world