Treatment Process
 Print - before treatment |
 Print - after treatment |
The conservation process generally includes examination, documentation, treatment, and encapsulation. After examining an object to assess its condition, a Treatment/Estimate Report will be filled out, listing the recommended treatment for that item, and the extimated cost. A typical treatment process would include first testing for solubility of media, then dry cleaning to remove surface grime, washing to remove acids, mending tears, holes, etc., alkalizing to prevent further deterioration, and flattening. If there is glue or tape residue, the process will include solvent treatment. The object might be re-sized to add flexibility. It may need some bleaching to remove stains, mat burn, or "foxing". Often antique advertising pieces require some in-painting, with reversible pigment, to fill in losses. The Treatment Report will list each treatment the item receives. These reports, as well as before and after photographs, are kept as a permanent record, and a final report is sent with the object after completion. When there are several similar items requiring the same treatment, such as several pages of a diary or letter, one report may be completed for the group. The final step is to encapsulate the object, if the media will allow it, in conservation quality polyester film to protect it and allow it to be easily handled.
Bob Inge is educated in the latest conservation practices and methods, and uses only the very finest conservation quality materials. As a Professional Associate of AIC, Bob adheres to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
The beauty of the conservation process is to see a beloved print, manuscript, map, newspaper article, or whatever it is that has value, whether monetary or sentimental, be salvaged from certain ruin. To now be able to handle it, display it, enjoy it, save it for future generations to see and appreciate - this is the goal of paper conservation.
Bob Inge is educated in the latest conservation practices and methods, and uses only the very finest conservation quality materials. As a Professional Associate of AIC, Bob adheres to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
The beauty of the conservation process is to see a beloved print, manuscript, map, newspaper article, or whatever it is that has value, whether monetary or sentimental, be salvaged from certain ruin. To now be able to handle it, display it, enjoy it, save it for future generations to see and appreciate - this is the goal of paper conservation.
 1910 Trolley Car sign - before treatment |
 1910 Trolley Car sign - after treatment |