M.S.I.S Candidate, University of Texas-Austin, School of Information
C.A.S. Conservation Candidate, Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record
Before Treatment
After Treatment
During Treatment
Treatment Information
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Date: 5/4/06 Temporary ID: 06-41.01
Conservator: Fletcher Durant
Identification of Artifact
Owner/Custodian: Center for American History
Address: Sid Richardson Hall 2.101
1 University Station D1100
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712-0335
Curator/Contact: Brenda Gunn
Title: Robb Family Papers
Creator: VSR [Virgil S. Robb]
Date of Production: June 24, 1864
Place of Production: Camp on Bayou Flacken
Approximate Dimensions: 18.1cm x 14.2cm (7 1/8”x5 5/8”) h/w
Authorization
The undersigned requests and authorizes the Kilgarlin Center University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX, 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 the Kilgarlin Center to proceed with the treatment recommended 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 Objectives
To prevent further damage from adhesive tape.
Description
General
18.1cm x 14.2cm (7 1/8”x5 5/8”) h/w
The letter is handwritten in iron gall ink on machine-made paper.
Media
Iron Gall Ink
The manuscript is written in evenly applied, medium density, black writing ink. The ink is feathered in places on the front of the leaf. The manuscript covers both sides of the leaf.
Graphite
There are three densely applied lines of graphite on each face of the leaf.
Cochineal
There are parallel, printed, red lines along the top of each page the color and consistency of cochineal.
Primary Support
The primary support is a single leaf of cream colored, good quality, medium weight, machine-made, wove paper. The paper appears to be good quality as evidenced by its flexibility. The paper has a smooth surface. The leaf was folded into sixths to fit into an envelope.
Condition
General
The letter is in fair condition overall.
Media
Iron Gall Ink
The iron gall ink has darkened to brown, but is otherwise in good shape. The ink has sunk through and is visible from the opposite side. There is no haloing, burn through, or fall-out, even with transmitted light.
Graphite
The graphite is in good condition, with no sign of smudging or abrasion.
Cochineal
The cochineal has faded to a pink, but is otherwise in good condition.
Primary Support
The support is in fair condition overall. There is little to no grime on the surface. Overall, the paper has darkened to tan. There is additional minor staining along the creases. Pressure sensitive tape has discolored the underlying paper to a darker brown.
There is visible fiber damage running along the vertical fold. Missing fibers are clear with transmitted light.
There is one long tear that originates on the right edge and runs diagonally downwards. There are two additional areas of damage along the right side that are covered with pressure sensitive tape on both sides of the leaf.
Tape
There are four pieces of pressure sensitive tape adhered to the document. The film support is transparent and pliable and the adhesive is fairly tacky. There is evidence of adhesive creep appearing around the edges of the support.
Photodocumentation
Digital images were taken before treatment in ambient, raking, and transmitted light. The photographs include both overall and detailed shots.
Testing
Protocol
Media was tested at inconspicuous locations for offset.
- Tested for particulate offset using a dry cotton swab with gentle abrasion.
- Tested for dye offset using chromatography paper moistened with distilled water pressed over the media for 1, 5, and 30 seconds.
- Additional solvent testing was performed proceeding tape removal. Drops of 1) ethanol, 2) acetone, and 3) naptha were applied to all media and observed under magnification. The drops were allowed to sit on the media for 1-25 seconds.
Results
- Iron gall ink: Particulate offset under gentle pressure with the cotton swab. There was brown particulate offset after 1 second with chromotagraphy paper. No change under additional solvent testing
- Graphite: Minor particulate offset with light pressure. There was no offset observed with the wet testing. No change under additional solvent testing.
- Cochineal: There was no offset observed during any test.
Treatment Proposal
- Dry clean as possible
- Remove adhesive tape
- Mend as necessary
- House in folder
Possible Effects of Treatment
It is likely that the stains will not be removed completely.
Treatment Performed
1) Tested for media solubility. (60 min.)
2) Lightly cleaned both sides of the document with a soft brush. (5 min.)
3) Dry cleaned both sides of the document with medium grain Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser crumbs. (10 min.)
4) Applied low heat from and incandescent lightbulb and manually removed the carriers from the front of the manuscript with a microspatula. (20 min.)
5) Heat from the incandescent lightbulb was unsuccessful in softening the adhesive from the upper back piece of tape. Naptha was inserted under the carrier to loosen the adhesive before manually removing the carrier with a microspatula. (30 min.)
6) For the bottom, back piece of tape, the manuscript was placed on a sheet of Plexiglass on top of a heating pad set to low heat. The heat was allowed to soften the adhesive from below before being removed manually. (20 min.)
7) Removed excess adhesive with a crepe eraser. (15 min.)
8) Toned Manila hemp lens paper with Liquitex and Golden acrylic paints diluted with deionized water. (15 min.)
9) Mended tears in the manuscript with toned lens paper and wheat starch paste. (60 min.)
10) Dried mends under blotter and weight. (5 min.)
11) Placed completed item in an appropriately sized 70# Mohawk Paper folder. (10 min.)
Total Treatment Time
4 hours 10 minutes