During Treatment

Treatment Report

Microsoft Word Version

Date:                                    3 April 2006          

PCS Temporary ID#:           06-41.02

Owner/Custodian:               Center for American History

Curator:                                Stephanie Malmros 

Subject/Description:            Manuscript letter dated October 27, 1864

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 chemical and physical stability of the document.

DESCRIPTION

8" x 7 3/4"  (20.4 cm x 18.7 cm)

The manuscript is written in iron gall ink on machine made ruled paper. 

Media

Iron gall ink: The black iron gall ink is rather densely applied, with writing covering the entire obverse and reverse of the leaf, save for a 3 cm margin at the top of the obverse.  It was smudged before drying on the obverse.

Blue ruling lines: The paper is horizontally ruled on both sides at about 1 cm intervals with pale blue lines.

Primary Support

The primary support is a cream colored, light weight, machine made, laid paper.  The surface is slightly textured.  The bottom edge has been unevenly trimmed by hand.  The letter was folded twice horizontally and twice vertically for mailing.

CONDITION

The document is in fair condition overall.

Media

Iron gall ink: The ink has turned a deep brown-black and is sinking into the paper.  In general, it is still legible, although it has eaten through the page in a few spots, and is very friable.

Blue dye:  The dye is bright blue in some places, but much paler in others, suggesting fading. There is no evidence of bleeding.

Primary Support

The primary support has darkened to a deep cream color.  It has lost much of its original sizing, and has become slightly brittle.  A 1 cm light brown stain is visible on the obverse but does not interfere with legibility. Ink smudge-Description.

The original folds have become well worn and weak, and as a result, there are several small tears and losses along these folds, particularly where they intersect.  A 4 cm tear extends into the area of text from the left margin along the uppermost of the two horizontal creases; it has been mended on both sides with pressure-sensitive tape comprised of an acrylic-based adhesive and a clear plastic carrier, both of which have darkened to yellow.   The tear covers a portion of two lines of text.

PHOTODOCUMENTATION

Digital images before treatment, front and back.  Overview for ambient, raking, and transmitted light.

TESTING

All media and stains were tested by contact with a dry cotton swab, for offset onto chromatography paper moistened with ethanol, and with drops of ethanol applied under the microscope.  The adhesive was tested with a heated microspatula and with drops of ethanol applied under the microscope.

Iron gall ink: A small amount of tiny particulate offset resulted from light rubbing with a dry cotton swab.  A very small amount of particulate matter offset onto damp chromatography paper after 2 seconds.  No change was observed when drops of ethanol were applied with a brush under magnification.

Blue dye: 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 ethanol were applied with a brush under magnification.

Acrylic adhesive: The adhesive softened and became more tacky when heated.  No change was observed with drops of ethanol applied to the stain after the adhesive itself was removed. 

Total Testing time: 20 min.

TREATMENT PROPOSAL

1)            Remove tape with heat and solvents as possible.

2)            Mechanically remove remaining adhesive.

3)            Reduce adhesive stains as possible.

4)            Mend as needed.

5)            Rehouse in folder.

Estimated Treatment Time: 2 hours

TREATMENT NOTES

The carrier was removed with a microspatula after gently heating the adhesive under incandescent light.  The residual adhesive was then mechanically removed with a combination of crepe eraser and alpha cellulose.  Severe staining remained in areas that had been covered with tape, even after adhesive removal was complete.  The stain was reduced first with ethanol on the suction table and then with a poultice of ethyl acetate in Fuller’s earth.  Considerable loss to the media and substrate had occurred along the tear, both before and after taping. 

TREATMENT PERFORMED

1)            Removed carrier with microspatula.  (45 minutes)

2)            Removed remaining adhesive with crepe eraser and alpha cellulose. (15 minutes)

3)            Attempted stain reduction with ethanol on the suction table. (15 minutes)

4)            Continued stain reduction with ethyl acetate in a poultice of Fuller’s Earth. (15 minutes)

4)            Mended with wheat starch paste and untoned lens tissue. (45 minutes)

6)            Rehoused in original folder.

Total Treatment Time: 2.25 hours