Ernie,
Spot on. Your case looks fine and the one I am working on looks like yours before the restoration. I cleaned the leather with first saddle soap, looked ok, then a water few drops of detergent mix; cut through a century of grime, oil, etc. The leather hinge was, as you noted, dry as were one or two of the binders. I worked in a combination mink-neatsfoot oil to soften and, hopefully, stop, the cracking. Patience is the order of the day. I too, concluded that moisturizer for us humans would suffice for bovine leather and worked in that used by you know who, and let work overnight. It did improve and this process will take some time. But I am learning a lot and the winter up here in the North has been ever so cold. I am not sure I fill the cuts and scars as they look kind of nice now that the grime, dirt, and oil has been removed. I do have to restitch some corners. As usual, thanks for your insight and experience.
Stay safe,
John
