In Progress: Map of Maryland and Delaware 68.820

Laid paper on a cardboard backing; black printing ink; watercolor in red, blue, green, tan.

Published in 1795, 18.375"x15.1875"

Condition: Paper and backing discolored, brittle; water damage in UR and UL corners accompanied by a powdery deposit; foxing; small holes along left margin from previous binding; possible silverfish damage; mild surface dirt, small dent in UL corner; watercolor faded; red is lead-based and showing cracking.

Treatment:

Dry cleaning

Soak backing in distilled water & remove mechanically

Blotter wash in distilled water w/ a reservoir

Blotter wash w/ 1.5% peroxide

Backing - Very Acidic

Backing Removal...





Backing Removed, Pre-Washing

Blotter Washing

Dirt Pouring Out

Dirty Water, Round 2 

Post-Washing, Verso

Post-Washing, Recto

Solubility testing of pigments

In Progress: Map of Novi Belgii 2011.65ab

Before Treatment

Laid paper on a cardboard backing; black printing ink; watercolor in red, pink, green.

24.25"x21"

Condition: Backing board distorted; paper mottled; foxing mostly in center; mold; dirt/grime around edges; loss of printing ink from around edges from handling; colors faded

Treatment: 

Vacuum mold

Mechanical cleaning

Solubility testing - pink & red water soluble

Before Treatment Detail - beautiful engraving

Before Treatment Detail - see the mold?

Mold...

... No Mold!

In Progress: Map of Virginia, Marylandia, Carolina 2011.64ab

Before Treatment

Laid paper on a cardboard backing; black printing ink; watercolor in red, green, tan.

Published circa 1750, 25"x20.879"

Condition: Discolored paper; tidelines; large scattered foxing; originally folded; tears and losses along folds; creases along folds; dirt/grime along bottom edge; tide lines along bottom edge; mold stains; color faded; copper green oxidized in places; writing in pencil in some areas

Treatment:

Solubility testing

Mechanical cleaning

Wet & remove backing

Before Treatment Detail

Solubility Testing

Backing Removal

In Progress: Map of Maryland 2011.58ab

Before Treatment

Laid paper on a cardboard backing; black printing ink; iron-based writing ink

17.875"x15"

Condition: originally folded (over a board?) probably in order to fit in a frame; guard strip down center; loss in LR and UR corner; tears along bottom edge & UR edge; fragile along creases; paper discolored unevenly, probably from acidic matting; non-iron foxing across face; thumbprint in bottom center; insect damage in UR edge & LL side; iron-based ink on verso beginning to burn through paper

Treatment:

Relax folds

Surface cleaning

Water solubility testing

Bath - suspended in DI water between polyester

Folds Relaxed

Before Treatment - Iron Ink

Complete: Map of Delaware 2011.56ab

before treatment

Laid paper on a cardboard backing; black printing ink; watercolor in tan/yellow, red/pink, brown/copper green.
Published in 1816, 10.875"x13.625"

Condition: Paper and backing discolored, brittle; mild surface dirt, small dent in UL corner; watercolor severely faded & copper green pigment corroded.

Treatment:
Dry cleaning
Solubility testing of pigments
Soak backing in distilled water & remove mechanically
Wash suspended in distilled water contained between polyester web
Mend tears with japanese tissue and wheat starch paste

Mother Kill?

Slaughter Creek?  Broad Kill?  Whore Kill Road?
What, exactly went on here?

Backing removal - so easy! 

polyester web pocket for washing

Bath - suspended between polyester web

dirty water

Completed: 6/29/12

Odessa: 6/20

First day at Odessa Historical Foundation in Delaware.  I had a tour of the historic houses, met the director, learned about the history of the foundation itself, and met the maps I'll be working with.  Most are very brittle and discolored.  The first I'll be working on is of Delaware and Virginia made in 1795.  Today I wrote the condition report and treatment proposal, which will involve removing a cardboard backing that was added after the map was removed from binding.  The cardboard is highly acidic and has had a major role in causing discoloration in the paper.  I started today by doing color fastness testing on the watercolor and gouache (they seemed fine, though the gouache was red lead and will probably flake off if agitated), and did some light mechanical cleaning using a vinyl eraser, making sure to avoid areas of color or fine detail.

Georgian gardens

gorgeous furniture

framing

the past few months i've been taking an organic chemistry lab, so i haven't been able to spend as much time in the conservation lab.  i have, however, still been working full time framing.  some of my more interesting projects have been...

fork, knife, napkin to be framed...

can you see how it's attached?

all done!

delicate beaded purse

carefully attached

(a duo)

concert souvenirs