W.S. Fawbr letter to A.M. Holcomb, 1863

Before Treatment

During Treatment

After Treatment

TREATMENT PROPOSAL/AUTHORIZATION FOR TREATMENT

AUTHORIZATION

The undersigned requests and authorizes the Kilgarlin Center at the University of Texas at Austin, 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 that 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 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this treatment is to improve the handling of this manuscript.

DESCRIPTION

General
Approximate dimensions of primary support: 8 ¼ in. x 10.5 in. (21 cm x 26.75 cm)

The manuscript is written in iron gall ink on a leaf of light blue machine made paper.

 

Media
Iron Gall Ink
The manuscript was written in black iron gall ink with an uneven hand. The writing covers most of the obverse and reverse of the leaf.

 

Primary Support
The primary support is a thin, smooth, light blue colored machine made paper with regular pulp distribution. The left edge of the obverse was torn. All the other edges of the leaf have straight cut edges. The leaf was folded three times, possibly for mailing.

CONDITION

General
Overall, the manuscript is in fair condition.

 

Media
Iron Gall Ink
The ink has faded, oxidized to a light brown color, and sunk to the obverse.

 

Primary Support
Overall, the primary support is in fair condition. The paper has faded and yellowed, with the yellow discoloration being more noticeable along the folds. There is a small liquid stain in the upper right corner of the reverse. The top and bottom of the leaf exhibit minor planar distortion. The paper has also weakened along the fold lines resulting in paper loss and small tears.

Housing
The manuscript is housed in a good quality folder.

PHOTODOCUMENTATION

Digital photographs were taken before and after treatment in ambient, raking and transmitted light. The photographs include overall shots, as well as detailed shots.

TESTING

Protocol
Ink Testing
The ink was tested using three methods:
• The ink was tested for offset using a dry cotton swab and gentle abrasion. The test was done under a microscope so that the smallest amount of offset would be detected.
• The ink was tested for offset by contacting a piece of chromatography paper, moistened with deionized water, with the medium for up to 10 seconds, and looking under a microscope for offset of the medium onto the chromatography paper.
• The medium was tested by applying a very small droplet of deionized water to an inconspicuous area of the medium and allowing the water to sink into the paper. The test was performed under magnification to detect the first sign of change.

 

Results
Iron Gall Ink Testing
The ink displayed no particulate offset. No dye offset was observed after contacting the chromatography paper with the ink for 10 seconds. The addition of a small droplet of deionized water resulted in no change.

TREATMENT PROPOSAL

• Mend tears and fill losses as appropriate. (1 hr.)
• Return to original housing.

 

Estimated Treatment Time: 1 hr.

TREATMENT PERFORMED

• Tested medium for solubility and sinking. (15 min.)
• Toned Manila Hemp lens tissue with acrylic paints and distilled water. (1 hr. 15 min. )
• Mended tears with the toned Manila hemp lens tissue and wheat starch paste, using as little moisture as possible (2hrs).
The wheat starch paste was Zin Shofu Japanese precipitated wheat starch mixed in a ratio of 1 part wheat starch to 4 parts water
• Re-housed the manuscript in an appropriately sized lignin free folder

 

Total Treatment Time: 3.5 hrs