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
After Treatment
Treatment Information
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Date: 12/1/06 Temporary ID: 06-66
Conservator: Brenna Campbell and Fletcher Durant
Identification of Artifact
Owner/Custodian: Alexander Architectural Achives
Address: Battle Hall
Curator/Contact: Nancy Sparrow
Title: Atkinson Residence Drawings
Creator: Ayers
Date of Production: May 16, 1927
Place of Production: San Antonio, Texas
Approximate Dimensions: 37”x44.8” (94.0cm x 113.9cm)
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 improve access and handling by removing damaging attachments and stabilizing tears.
Description
General
37”x44.8”
The architectural drawings are drawn in graphite on machine-made tracing paper.
Media
Graphite: The graphite is written with varying pressure across the front of all eight leaves.
Yellow Ink: Yellow radii are used to measure distances from the courtyard on the “First Floor Plan” and the “Second Floor Plan.”
Red-orange Crayon: Red-orange crayon is found in small amounts on the “First Floor Plan” and “Sheet 8.” The marking on “Sheet 8” appears to be inadvertent.
Primary Support
The primary supports are single leaves of cream colored, good quality, thin, machine-made, wove tracing paper. The paper appears to be good quality as evidenced by its flexibility. The paper has a slightly textured surface, which may stem from damage and use. Some of the drawings have been fully encapsulated and have not been accessed prior to treatment, but appear to have the same properties as the other drawings.
Condition
General
The drawings are in poor condition overall, with numerous losses, tears, and mends with water-soluble and pressure sensitive adhesive tapes.
Media
Graphite: The graphite is in good condition. There appears to be little or no particulate loss, although there is some minor smudging, which could be contemporary damage.
Yellow Ink: The yellow ink is in good condition, with no sign of bleeding or fading.
Red-orange Crayon: The red-orange crayon is in good condition, with no smudging or abrasion.
Primary Support
The support is in poor condition overall. There is an overall light layer of grime on the surface, with heavier build-up along the edges. Overall, the paper has yellowed significantly. Minor staining/discoloration can be found on many of the drawings. Many drawings have significant losses and all of the drawings have multiple significant tears.
Previous attempts have been made to repair the tears with water-soluble and pressure sensitive adhesive tapes. Each drawing (except for the “Foundation Piping” which has no tape repairs) has between 100-200cm of adhesive tape, of which no more than 75cm is pressure sensitive tape. Several items have no pressure sensitive tape at all. At least 2 different water-soluble tapes and 2 different pressure sensitive adhesive tapes are present in this group of drawings. For most of the tapes, both the adhesive and carrier have browned significantly and stained the primary support. Most of the carriers on the water-soluble tapes are no longer supporting the damaged areas, although most of the carriers remain at least partially attached to the items.
Photodocumentation
Digital images were taken before treatment in ambient and raking light. The photographs include both overall and detailed shots.
Testing
Protocol
Media was tested at inconspicuous locations for offset using two methods, one dry and one wet.
- 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.
Results
- Graphite: Major particulate offset with light abrasion on thick border lines. Minor particulate offset with light abrasion on plan lines. There was no offset observed during wet testing
- Yellow Ink: No particulate offset occurred during dry testing. No dye offset was observed during wet testing with distilled water. Offset of yellow dye was observed on chromatography after 5 seconds with ethanol. No bleeding or other visible changes were observed.
- Red-orange Crayon: Minor particulate offset observed under light pressure. Minor particulate offset was observed after 1 and 5 seconds of wet testing, but no offset after 30 seconds. There was no bleeding or other visible changes.
Treatment Proposal
- Dry clean as possible
- Remove water-soluble tape and adhesive
- Remove pressure sensitive tape and adhesive
- Mend as necessary
- Stain reduction as possible
- House in appropriate materials
Treatment Performed
- Removed drawing from Mylar encapsulation (15 minutes)
- Dry cleaned with vinyl eraser crumbs (15 minutes)
- Applied a poultice of 4% methyl cellulose to remove water-soluble tape and adhesive (1 hour)
- Removed adhesive residue with ethanol and a cotton swab (30 minutes)
- Mechanically removed pressure sensitive tape and adhesive (1 hour)
- Mended tears with lens tissue and wheat starch paste (10 hours)
- Housed in a buffered folder
Total Treatment Time: 13 hours