Alexandra Barratt is the co-author of many descriptions on medieval bookbindings in New Zealand that will feature on these pages. Alexandra is Professor Emeritus at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, where she used to teach English language and literature. Since leaving paid employment she has been pursuing an interest in the manuscript waste found in the medieval manuscripts and early printed books held in New Zealand institutions––for example, vellum quire guards taken from a Latin bible written during the rule of Emperor Charlemagne (742-814) in western or central Europe.