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Date:	December 12, 2006
Kilgarlin Center Temporary ID#:	06-64.2
Conservator:	Amy Baker, Elizabeth Bittner, Brenna Campbell, Fletcher Durant, Anna Friedman, Tonia Grafakos, Melissa Straw, Lauren Telepak
Instructor:	Karen Pavelka
Owner/Custodian:	Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin
Curator:	Stephanie Malmros
Subject/Description:	Mary Henrietta Chase Papers, Baptismal Notice
Creator:	Unknown
Date of Production:	1897
Place of Production:	Unknown
Approximate Dimensions:	6 1/4" x 4 1/4" , 10.8 cm x 16.0 cm, lamination 6 6/8" x 5 1/8", 13 cm x 17.7 cm
(height x width)

Authorization

The undersigned requests and authorizes PCS/KCPCR University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, to undertake conservation treatment of the artifact described in the attached condition report according to the procedures outlined in the appended Treatment Proposal.  In the event the owner/custodian authorizes PCCS to proceed with the recommended treatment in the proposal such authorization shall be deemed to include acceptance by the depositor of the terms and conditions appearing in the original Authorization for Examination and Treatment.

Signature of Responsible Officer for Owner/Custodian:

____________________________________

Signature of Conservator:

____________________________________

Date: ____________________________________

TREATMENT OBJECTIVE

The treatment objective is to improve the chemical condition of the object to facilitate handling and access.

DESCRIPTION

General

The document is printed on machine-made paper using black printing ink and red printing ink.

Media

Black printing ink:  The relief flier is printed in black ink.  The text covers the recto and verso of the leaf. There is a small margin on all four sides. The ink application is even on both sides.

Red printing ink:  Red printing ink is used in the titling information and a double lined border are relief printed in red ink. The ink is present on both the recto and verso of the leaf.

Iron gall ink: The identification information is written in iron gall ink on the verso of the leaf. The density of the ink is uneven, indicating that application by the nib .

Primary Support

The primary support is a cream colored, machine-made paper.  The paper appears to be of medium weight. Under transmitted light the paper fibers are not visible, Along the right side of the leaf areas of the adhesive florescenced. The cellulose acetate lamination precludes further description of the qualities of the paper.

CONDITION

General

The manuscript is in fair condition but has been laminated in destructive cellulose acetate.

Media

Black printing ink:  The ink is evenly dark and printed, the lettering is distinct and easily legible with no evidence of flaking or abrasion. Crystals are formed between the surface of the leaf and the lamination causing the ink to delaminate from the paper substrate. Crystalization is affecting the visibility and clarity of the ink.

Red stamp ink: The ink appears faint. The letter edges are feathered but still legible. Crystals are formed between the surface of the leaf and the lamination causing the ink to delaminate from the paper substrate. Crystalization is affecting the visibility and clarity of the ink.

Iron gall ink:  The ink has faded to a dark brown.  It has begun to sink into the paper, particularly in areas where its application was heaviest.  The writing remains highly legible and distinct with no haloing.

Primary Support

The cellulose acetate lamination has stiffened into almost complete rigidity. The lamination has a regular boarder of about 1-1.5cm around the paper.  Yellow adhesive residue is present along the borders of the leaf.   

The primary support is in poor condition overall. The machine made paper was probably fairly good quality to begin with, but it has been laminated and that has caused problems. The lamination is much thicker than what is normally found in archival collections, approximately .0305 thick. The lamination, presumably cellulose acetate, has caused severe damage to the enclosed paper; it is dark yellow and somewhat distorted overall. It has caused the paper to become somewhat translucent and appears less opaque that what would normally be expected for such a piece of paper.

The primary support was apparently torn before it was laminated. There is a horizontal tear (approximately 3.5cm) beginning at the left edge of the leaf towards the center. There is a internal vertical tear on the right side measuring approximately 3.5cm and a smaller vertical tear beginning at the top of the leaf and moving towards the center measuring approximately 1.5cm. There are several areas of loss in the leaf. The top left, top right and bottom right corners are missing. There is a 1cm x 10 cm loss running along the right side of the leaf. There are two circular holes along the left side of the leaf that cut through leaf. There is delamination beginning at the top right corner moving downward along the right side of the leaf and also running along the bottom of the leaf.

HOUSING
The document was housed in an archival quality folder within an archival document box.

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

Digital images before and after treatment in ambient, transmitted, and raking light, overall and details.

TESTING

Cellulose acetate

A small strip of the cellulose acetate laminate was cut off for to determine solubility in acetone.  Initially, acetone was applied sparingly to the piece of laminate using a cotton swap.  The application of acetone caused the surface of the laminate to dull.  Two drops of acetone were then placed on the piece of laminate.  After approximately two minutes, the piece of laminate became soft and moldable. Also, testing was done using ethyl acetate, acetate, and naphtha. A piece of laminate was placed in a Petri dish with small amount of solvent.

Black printing ink, Red printing ink. Iron gall ink.

The document is completely incased in plastic and it is not possible to get a meaningful test of the inks.

Once the lamination was removed, the media was tested with ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone.  The printing inks did not offset when solvent was applied with a cotton swab. Iron gall ink particulates came up when we rolled a cotton swab wet with solvent on the media.

POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT

Every effort will be made to protect the integrity of the ink, but it may not be possible to remove the laminated layer without any change to the ink. Once the treatment has begun, the plastic will be fragmented and visually distorted and it will likely not be possible to leave the document in that condition, even if there is some change to the ink. If any such situation occurs, we will contact the archivist for guidance,

TREATMENT PROPOSAL

1. Remove lamination as possible
2. Mend tears as possible
3. House in an appropriate archival folder

 
TREATMENT PERFORMED

1. Placed item in a naphtha bath which removed the adhesive layer underneath the lamination layer.
2. Acetone was applied to remove any remaining vestiges of lamination.
3. Applied a cascade of ethyl acetate and ethanol to remove any remaining solvents in order for even drying.
4. The notice dried in the fume hood for 2 hours and then it was placed in a naphtha bath for approximately 10 minutes.  The tray was gently rocked to distribute solvent evenly and gently wash the item.
5. The item was allowed to dry partially to observe how much adhesive remained. The paper was significantly brighter, especially in the delaminated area in the upper half.
6. An ethyl acetate cascade was attempted but channels of the solvent were left across the paper resulting in the item being transferred to a bath. The item was in the ethyl acetate bath for approximately 10-15 minutes, again gently rocking the tray.
7. The item was slowly air dried in the fume hood wetting the delaminated area with ethanol to try and keep the entire surface of the document drying at a similar rate.  Some of the impurities in the paper was wicked up and deposited in a tideline that formed below the delaminated area.
8. Placed item in an ethanol bath with gently rocking of the tray.
9. The document was dried sideways at an approximate 45 degree angle.  Ethanol was brushed on the delaminated area when it first began to dry, then it was dried evenly. 
10. The item was placed in the hood at a slight angle to dry overnight.
11. Washed fragments in a naphtha bath to match color of de-laminated item.
12. After drying, the fragments and tears were mended with light weight Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.

Total Time: 6 hours