Case Studies Considerations for Collections Care. Conservation Center For Art and Historic Artifacts

Transcription

1 Case Studies Considerations for Collections Care Conservation Center For Art and Historic Artifacts

2 #1: Historic Staunton Foundation The Collins collection consists of approximately 15,700 architectural drawings organized in 1,108 project files Most drawings date from ~

3 Evaluate Storage Conditions

4 Identify types of drawings, paper supports, and media

5 Characterize the Collection Tracing papers, with graphite, India ink, and some unfixed charcoal Linens with India ink Medium and heavy weight wove papers Blueprints Diazotypes Misc. photo reproductive processes (hectographs, ferogallic prints, cb prints 50% 20% 10% 10% 5% 5%

6 Condition Assessment on the Collection Level

7 Establish Treatment Priorities Priority 1: Surface cleaning and flattening: Priority 1 must be accomplished prior to placement in new folders and flat files Priority 2: Physical stabilization for handling, imaging, longterm preservation: removal of ps. tapes, mending. Can be accomplished after Priority 1. Priority 3: Further treatment for exhibition: loss compensation, stain reduction. Relevant for a small percentage of materials.

8 Establish Storage Priorities Rehouse and move drawings to flat storage system

9 Now what? NEH Preservation Assistance Grant (PAG) Professional onsite consultation Staff training Materials

10 2 day training session

11 Prepare three to four work tables/surfaces for treatment: Table 1: for the untreated group of drawings (untreated pile). Table 2: as the treatment/work table. Table 3: to place cleaned and treated drawings on (treated pile). Table 4: (optional) for overall flattening..

12 Step 1: Remove attachments Gently remove all unnecessary fasteners, including metal slides, rubber bands, binder s clips, straight pins, and staples using a microspatula

13 Step 2: Surface Clean Verso (recto, only when necessary) Use natural rubber sponges: can be cut. Discard dirty sponges frequently. and/or Use grated eraser: bare hands. cotton gloves, or hake brush. Discard dirty crumbs. Avoid media Use caution when surface cleaning to avoid additional damage, especially on tracing papers.

14 Step 3: Local Relaxation When necessary, locally humidify and flatten distorted sections of the paper support prior to repairing tears Using a spray bottle, lightly dampen a strip of Pellon with deionized water Place the Pellon on the distorted section. Flatten the section by pressing a tacking iron on top of the dampened Pellon. Avoid using a high temperature on the tacking iron to avoid damage to the drawings.

15 Step 4: Repair Tears Use a heat-set tissue strips (Crompton Coated Tissue ) and a tacking iron. Repairs to the paper support should target tears that are 2 or longer and/or tears in areas where handling would cause further damage. Place shiny side (adhesive) face down. Always cover heatset tissue mends with pellon Inspect repairs to confirm proper adhesion to the paper support.

16 Step 5: Final Pressing Overall flattening of the treated drawings to reduce planar distortions will be achieved using a dry method Place the group of drawings between sheets of Pellon and pressing boards (clear acrylic or masonite panels), and press under moderate weight (clothcovered window sashes). Groups of drawings can be stacked to flatten: separate (and identify) each group between the pressing boards with blotter or mat board. This method will not completely flatten the drawings. It is intended to reduce curling and distortions prior to foldering. Length of pressing time could be days to weeks.

17 Step 6: Rehouse Alkaline 20 pt. folders Microchamber buffered interleaving paper, ph 8.4 (Conservation Resources, sheets or roll) Clear polyester L- sleeves for badly torn drawings New metal flat files

18 Environmental Standards Temperature Relative Humidity Ultraviolet Light Visible Light Particulates Sulfur Dioxide Nitrous Oxides Interior Pollutants F occupied space60-65 F storage 40-45% 75 microwatts per lumen 5-15 footcandles for 3 months exhibition 1-5 footcandles storage footcandles in work areas for short exposures 0-95% efficiency filtration to remove 50% of 0.5 micron particulates 1-10 μg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) 5-10 μg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) No Standards.

19 #2: Conservation for Exhibition Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates University of Pennsylvania Architectural Archives Treatment goals Consistency of approach Preserve evidence of working methods Use of Facsimiles Presentation Matting, mounting materials Interpretation of the objects

20 Preserve Working Methods Before Treatment After Treatment Preserve artist s mount Secure loose attachments Leave adhesive residues, indicating where attachments are missing

21 Preserving Working Methods Pressure sensitive tapes were treated and retained

22 Limited Use of Facsimiles for Light Sensitive Materials

23 Create Facsimiles of Diazotypes Tracing paper overlay Diazotype secondary support

24 Before Treatment After treatment with facsimile

25 InConsistency of Approach Presentation~Interpretation Maintain irregular cut edges Use float window mats when possible to show edges Use clear polyester to restrain drawing in float mat window as necessary

26 CCAHA SEALED PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION

27 SEALED PACKAGES For exhibition, must be framed

28 Acknowledgments William Whitaker, University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives Historic Staunton Foundation Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts