After Treatment

Treatment Report

Microsoft Word Version

Date:                                          28 February 2006          

PCS Temporary ID#:                06-30.04

Title:                                           Interior de la Universidad de Mexico

Owner/Custodian:                    Benson Latin American Collection

Curator:                                     Michael Hieronymous

Subject/Description:                  Chalk lithograph

Conservator:                               Brenna Campbell

Instructor:                                    Karen Pavelka

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: ________________________________

Date: ____________________________

TREATMENT OBJECTIVE

To improve the visual characteristics of the print.

DESCRIPTION

16" x 22"  (40 cm x 57 cm)

The lithograph is printed on handmade paper. 

Media

Black litho ink: The lithograph is printed in black ink; the image area is surrounded by a 10 cm margin on all four sides.  The ink is densely applied and has a rich black color and a somewhat dull surface.

Black stamp ink: An ownership stamp appears in the upper left corner of the reverse.  The ink is a light black and is unevenly applied.

Primary Support

The primary support is a cream colored, medium weight, handmade, laid wove paper with deckle edges.  The paper is fairly soft and supple, with high opacity.  The surface is moderately textured. 

Secondary Support

The secondary support is apparently the same laid wove paper.  The primary support is adhered to the secondary support overall.

CONDITION

The document is in good condition overall.

Media

Black litho ink: The ink is in good condition, with no evidence of abrasion or loss.

Black stamp ink:  The ink appears to be slightly faded.

Primary Support

There is a light layer of surface dirt over the entire obverse.  Primary support has darkened to a deep cream and there is light foxing overall, which becomes more evident under UV light.  There is no sign of embrittlement.  A small dark brown stain, likely iron gall ink, appears on the bottom right corner. 

Adhesion to the secondary support precludes examination of the reverse.

The edges of the paper are somewhat worn, and some areas along the edges and corners are folded in and abraded.  A rather long (about 10 cm) crease extends through both supports in the bottom right hand corner.  Several small tears extend roughly 1 cm in from the edges.  Thumb tack holes have been pierced through both supports.

Secondary Support

The secondary support is adhered completely to the primary support, apparently with a water soluble adhesive.  The upper left corner obverse is beginning to separate, extending about 10-15 cm along each edge.  This separation appears to result from adhesive failure, and does not show any evidence of delamination.  There is no apparent staining from the adhesive, and no cockling from the adhesion.  The paper has darkened to a deep cream, and is lightly foxed overall.  Ground-in dirt is visible on the back.  It is somewhat worn and crumpled at the edges.  The tears and folds generally correspond with those in the primary support.

Two 3 cm Japanese paper hinges are attached to the top edge with a water soluble adhesive.

PHOTODOCUMENTATION

Digital images before and after treatment, front and back.  Overview for ambient and raking light.  Details in ambient and raking light.

TESTING

Three separate testing protocols were used with each medium.  All media and stains were tested by contact with a dry cotton swab, for offset onto damp chromatography paper, and with drops of water applied under the microscope.  Adhesives were tested with a moistened microspatula.

Black litho ink: Some offset resulted from light rubbing with a dry cotton swab.  Particulate matter offset immediately onto damp chromatography paper.  No change was observed when drops of water were applied with a brush under magnification.

Black stamp ink: No offset resulted from light rubbing with a dry cotton swab.  No particulate matter offset onto damp chromatography paper after 60 seconds.  No change was observed when drops of water were applied with a brush under magnification.

Iron gall ink:  Some offset of fine particulate matter resulted from light rubbing with a dry cotton swab.  Larger chunks of particulate matter offset immediately onto damp chromatography paper.  No change was observed when drops of water were applied with a brush under magnification.

Hinge adhesive: The adhesive released easily with introduction of moisture on microspatula.

Backing adhesive: The adhesive released fairly easily with dry microspatula, and appeared to soften slightly with introduction of moisture on microspatula, but did not release as easily. 

Total Testing time: 15 min.

TREATMENT PROPOSAL

1)            Overall dry clean as possible.

2)            Wash as possible.

3)            Alkalinize.

4)            Remove hinges.

5)            Mend as needed.

6)            Rehouse in folder.

Estimated Treatment Time: 1 hour

TREATMENT NOTES

When immersed in the bath, the print began to distort as a result of differential expansion between the primary and secondary supports.  The print was promptly removed and partially dried by placing between dry blotters, which were changed very frequently.  When the print had dried somewhat, the hinges were quickly removed with a dry microspatula.  During this process, a small area (about 1 square cm) under one of the hinges delaminated.  This was retained and reattached with paste after the print was completely dry.

TREATMENT PERFORMED

1)            Dry cleaned overall with Magic Rub eraser crumbs.  (15 minutes)

2)            Washed for five minutes two baths. (5 minutes)

3)            Dried quickly between alternating blotters. (10 minutes)

4)            Removed hinges with a microspatula. (10 minutes)

5)            Mended delaminated area under hinge with wheat starch paste. (15 minutes)

6)            Rehoused in original folder.

Total Treatment Time: 55 minutes