PaperLoves Conservation, LLC
The Conservation of Works on Paper
BEFORE TREATMENT
The engraving exhibited an overall discoloration with additional light brown water staining within the margins. The paper support was moderately distorted.
AFTER TREATMENT
The print was surface cleaned to reduce particulate grime. It was bathed to reduce discoloration and degradation products. Finally, the print was humidified and pressed to return to plane.
BEFORE TREATMENT
The engraving suffered water damage and mold. Significant tidelines and mold staining are visible.
AFTER TREATMENT
The print was surface cleaned, media tested for solubility in water and found to be stable. The print was washed in conditioned water to reduce staining, overall discoloration and acidic degradation. Tidelines and mold stains were further treated locally using a dilute bleach solution, followed by additional washing. It was humidified and pressed flat following treatment.
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER TREATMENT
The poster suffered significant staining throughout due to rubber cement adhesive used to adhere it to a cardboard backing.
The poster was surface cleaned, and the adhesive staining and image media were tested for solubility parameters. The staining was addressed using appropriate solvents over suction repeatedly until they had sufficiently lightened. The poster was humidified and pressed to flatten.
BEFORE TREATMENT
The watercolor drawing suffered from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, poor housing and metallic inclusions in the paper support.
AFTER TREATMENT
The watercolor drawing was surface cleaned, metal particulate was removed and it was bathed in multiple rounds of conditioned water to reduce the overall discoloration and staining. The watercolor was hinged into a new archival window mat and backboard.
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER TREATMENT
The charcoal drawing suffered greatly from insect damage (Silverfish), moderate water damage and delaminations along the lower portion of the paper support. Significant surface grime and accretions were also present.
BEFORE TREATMENT
The drawing was surface cleaned, as possible. Delaminations were re-secured using conservation grade adhesive. Loss of media from insect grazing throughout the drawing was retouched using pastel pencils.
AFTER TREATMENT
The print suffered from light damage and discoloration due to acid migration from poor quality matting materials. Following testing, the red and green hand-colored media proved soluble in water
The print was surface cleaned overall. It was humidified and passively washed over suction using the airbrush and conditioned water in order to control washing around soluble media. It was washed multiple times in this manner. Following treatment, it was humidified and pressed flat.
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER TREATMENT
The print suffered from light damage, tape staining and discoloration due to acid migration from poor quality matting materials.
The print was washed multiple times in order to reduce the overall discoloration. The tape stains were addressed locally using a dilute bleach solution and rinsed following completion. It was humidified and pressed flat.