Thanksgiving Proclamation, broadside, 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 reverse a previous inappropriate treatment.

DESCRIPTION
General
Approximate dimensions of primary support: 13 ¼ in. x 9 in. (33.5 cm x 23 cm)

The letterpress broadside printed in black ink on machine made paper.

Media
Black Printing Ink
The broadside was printed with a matte black ink.  The unevenness of the ink suggests that the press was under inked when the broadside was first printed.

Iron Gall Ink
A three line filing annotation written in iron gall ink appears in the right corner of the reverse of the broadside. 

Blue Writing Ink
A handwritten annotation in shiny dark blue ink appears on the upper left corner of the reverse of the broadside.  The writing of the annotation has been crossed out with a heavily applied circular pattern.

Graphite
Brief, lightly written cataloger’s annotations are in each of the four corners of the reverse of the leaf.

Primary Support
The primary support is medium weight, slightly textured, cream colored machine made paper with regular pulp distribution.  The edges of the sheet were cut straight.  The paper was folded fours times for filing.

CONDITION
General
Overall, the broadside is in good condition.

Media
Black Printing Ink
The printing ink is in good condition with no sign of loss or abrasion.  Under inking, when first printed, is believed to be the reason portions of the printed text are lighter than others.

Iron Gall Ink
The ink has oxidized to a dark brown color, exhibits a haloing effect and has sunk to the obverse.

Blue Writing Ink
The ink is in fair condition.  There are no signs of loss or abrasion, but has sunk to the obverse.

Graphite
The graphite is in good condition, the writing has not faded or smeared.

Primary Support
Overall, the primary support is in good condition.  The paper has darkened and yellowed to a beige color. This discoloration is more apparent along the folds.  A small circular light brown stain appears in the upper right corner of the reverse. The paper exhibits minor planar distortion.   Four pieces of gummed adhesive tape have been applied to the right and left sides of the reverse.  The paper fibers are softer along the folds.  There are multiple small tears and losses along three of the four edges of the leaf.

Housing
The broadside is housed in a Mylar sleeve within 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 inks were 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.
• Each 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.

Tape Testing
The tape was tested by gently lifting a small area with a microspatula and then applying a small droplet of deionized water to determine if the adhesive was water soluble.

Results
Ink Testing
Black Printing Ink
The ink displayed minimal particulate offset.  No dye offset was observed after contacting the chromatography paper with the ink for 10 seconds.  There was no visible change with the addition of a small water droplet.

Iron Gall Ink
The ink displayed no particulate offset.  No dye offset was observed after contacting the chromatography paper with the ink for 10 seconds.  Minimal dye movement was observed with the addition of a small droplet of water and gentle abrasion.

Blue Writing Ink
The ink displayed no particulate offset.  Minimal offset was observed after contacting the chromatography paper with the ink for 10 seconds.  The ink lightened with the addition of a small water droplet, but the dye did not move with gentle abrasion with a soft brush.

Graphite
The graphite displayed substantial particulate offset.  Minimal offset was observed after contacting the chromatography paper with the ink for 10 seconds. 

Tape Testing
Both of tapes’ adhesives soften upon the application of deionized water.

TREATMENT PROPOSAL

• Remove gummed tape using localized humidification. (45 min.)
• Mend tears and fill losses as appropriate. (1 hr.)
• Return to original housing.

Estimated Treatment Time: 1 hr. 45 min.

TREATMENT PERFORMED

• Tested media for solubility to deionized water.  (20 min.)
• Applied a piece of chromatography paper lightly wetted with deionized water onto the tape and let sit for 30 seconds, then used a microspatula to lift the tape.  Reapplied the damp chromatography paper as needed.  (40 min.)
• Applied a thin layer of thick methylcellulose on top of the remaining pieces of tape.  Allowed to site for 2 minutes and then used a microspatula to remove the tape.  Reapplied methylcellulose as needed.  (40 min.)
• Removed residual adhesive with a light application of methylcellulose and a microspatula.  (30 min.)
• Mended tears with an acrylic toned Manila hemp lens tissue and filled loss with a 4-ply piece of acrylic toned Kozo tissue.  (1.5 hrs.)
• Re-housed in a lignin-free folder of appropriate size.  (5 min.)

Total treatment time: 3 hrs 45 min.