Preservation Beat

Monday, May 25, 2009

Every once in a while, we get to make a difference in someone’s life. I think it’s fitting on Memorial Day and the anniversary of the Parkersburg EF5 tornado, to post these pictures of Amanda’s Grandpa opening the Bible that our conservator repaired as best he could. His wife, Amanda’s Grandma died in the tornado. If you look carefully, you can see the damage to the Bible. It now tells the tale of the tornado. We’re glad that we could contribute in our way by returning a little something of Amanda’s Grandma to her family.

Photos provided by Amanda.

Friday, May 15, 2009

For the exposed metal I started with a medium grain steel wool to loosen the more rusted areas. I continued to vacuum the loose particles. The next step will be using a double beveled knife to try to remove some of the more stubborn areas of active corrosion. When the metal is cleaned and stable, I will replace the reinforced paper to the inside of the suitcase with wheat starch paste.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

After I removed a majority of the mold I began to lift the paper lining where it was detaching. I did not attempt to remove the paper where it was still adhered because it is so brittle that it would just fall apart. For the areas I could not remove, I gently rubbed the finest grain of eraser crumbs over the surface with my fingers to get some of the dirt up and then vacuumed them with the Nilfisk. You can see all the active rust that was under the paper lining.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

For months now we have been slugging away, dry cleaning the Czech Museum’s LP album covers, and we are just past the half-way point. As we get closer to the end, we are filling the area that currently houses the clean records and the clean covers. I thought it may be a good time to take a break from dry cleaning and make some room by combining a box of records with its partner box of covers. 

This morning I completed the final wash on one box of records. After the records dried, I brushed them one last time with a micro-fiber brush and sleeved them. I then retrieved the corresponding box with the album covers from their cozy storage area and set to work reuniting the LPs.  Stunningly, a good portion of them seemed to be in order. A little shuffling was needed, but they are all here and clean and upstairs.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

In the lab, we refer to Linda as “the Machine.” As Caitlin and I have occasionally constructed a few blueboard clamshell boxes for items from the African American Museum, Linda has been spitting out cloth covered drop spine boxes. She primarily makes these types of enclosures for Hardin, the Art Library, the Music Library and Special Collections–where the boxes beautify the shelves as well as supporting and sheltering books. Drop spine boxes can be labor intensive, and require careful measuring and construction. Linda manages to produce perfectly snug, incredibly well aligned, no-stray-glue-spots boxes, and all that at an amazing pace.

Linda usually works on ten to fifteen boxes at a time, depending on the size. She measures the books in need, cuts the board, and begins assembly. In the pictures below, you can see some of the drop spine boxes being put together and weighted (the Elmer’s glue bottle we refill with PVA, as its a handy little bottle). Weighting is important as it ensures thorough connection between all the glued up surfaces, and also prevents possible warping. In the bottom left image, a tray of the box is being covered with Hardin Library approved cloth. On the the bottom right, the drop spine is complete–it is open–but must be weighted overnight before becoming acquainted with its proper book.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

This metal suitcase from the African American Museum collection was covered in rust and mold. It is also lined with brittle patterned paper. It’s a mess. I consulted with Gary to determine the best course of treatment.

To begin, I used the Nilfisk Vacuum with pipette attachment to get the fuzziest mold, being very careful to avoid catching the paper lining which is detached in many areas.

 Gary shows me how to lift out the loosened lining paper. �

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

We are making steady progress on the books damaged in the Art Library sprinkler incident. We have been very fortunate in that most books show no to minimal damage. If you look closely at the first couple photos, you can see that there is water staining along the edges. This is fairly typical of the type of damage the books received. The staining can not be removed and will remain as a reminder of sprinkler incident.

This particular book has a soft cover and needs extra protection before going back on the shelf. Linda Lundy made a portfolio box or a four flap enclosure attached to book covers. This is entirely produced in house, using our equipment and purchased archival materials. The box will give the book added protection for handling, shelving, and other hazards.