I was asked to show more photographs of the ageing of my Van Der Spek Junior/Pocket planner in undyed Janet Leather.
I have been in this binder since May 2023 (almost one year).
This is what it looked like when it was brand new
I made a conscious decision upon receipt of this absolutely stunning binder that I would protect it through the delicate teenage stage. This was in order to achieve an even exterior patina.
Normally, an undyed would show scratches, marks, skuffs and blotches for the first months until the darkening and patina caused them to blend in. This time, however, I protected the planner in my bag with a pouch, and I treated it with leather conditioner in order to weatherproof and add a layer of protection. That (and the summer sun) darkened it quite quickly and evenly.
After a very wet cold, snowy winter, a lot of tumbling around in the bottom of my bag, this is what it looks like:
The planner interior shows the kind of wear that the undyed would have shown on the exterior if I had not protected it. The patina is slightly uneven where the pages covered the leather, and where the oils on my hands came into contact with the pen loop. It has pen marks on the left side. Inside the pockets and under the flaps, the colour is the same as the day I received it.
