Paper Conservation Services
Overview
The Weissman Preservation Center offers numerous services for unbound special collections artifacts on paper, parchment, papyrus, pith and other support materials; these include but are not limited to manuscripts and printed documents, drawings, prints and watercolors, architectural and engineering records, posters, illuminated sheets, and associated seals. The list of services provided includes the following:
- Preservation assessments of large and small collections
- Conservation surveys of individual objects and collections of any size
- Conservation treatments on an individual and batch basis
- Archival housing of individual objects and collections of any size
- Presentations and workshops on a range of topics
Preservation assessments of large and small collections
Site visits to your repository may be arranged at any time to determine the range and types of unbound materials present in particular collections or in general and to assess their preservation needs. Combined with an environmental assessment, this is an ideal first step in developing preservation priorities for your collections. A written report is prepared for the repository after the assessment and on-going assistance in meeting the repository's preservation goals is provided. Click here to inquire about an unbound paper or other collection preservation assessment for your repository.
Conservation surveys of individual objects and collections of any size
A condition survey is an essential tool for assessing the stability of individual objects in a collection; its findings allow treatment or housing needs to be prioritized. An assessment is a systematic activity in which the condition of each object in a collection is noted and prioritized by paper conservation staff on a custom-developed form or spreadsheet. Condition notes for each object and a summary written report is prepared for the repository at the end of the survey. When this information is combined with the curator's priorities for the collection objects, a treatment and housing workflow is established. This activity may be undertaken with any sized collection, staff availability permitting, but is most realistically undertaken with smaller collections (up to 3,000 objects).
Sometimes a condition assessment is more appropriate for a collection. Less comprehensive than a survey, an assessment is often completed on collections prior to digitization to flag items in need of stabilization before being sent for scanning. Condition notes are cursory and may not necessarily be provided for every object. Click here to inquire about an unbound paper or other collection conservation survey or assessment for your repository.
Conservation treatments on an individual and batch basis
The primary aim of conservation treatment of Harvard's unbound special collections, always undertaken in consultation with and with the approval of the curator of the collection, is to stabilize them for access and to prevent further damage or deterioration. Improvement in image legibility or the aesthetic appearance of an individual object may be a secondary goal. Treatments are normally done on individual items or on batches of objects of a similar type and condition. Typical treatments include actions to remove mold residues, reduce superficial grime, remove pressure-sensitive tapes and associated adhesives, reduce stains, discoloration and damaging accretions, improve fiber to fiber bonding in deteriorated paper supports, mend tears and splits, reduce planar deformations, compensate for losses and consolidate flaking and powdering media.
Archival housing of individual objects and collections of any size
Unbound paper, parchment and other collection objects stored in chemically or physically inadequate or inappropriate housings are at greater risk for on-going deterioration and damage than are those stored properly. Preservation assessments of the present housing of individual objects or extensive collections will permit the development of a re-housing strategy that will optimize storage in the most cost-effective and space-conscious way for each repository, collection and/ or unique object.
Presentations and workshops on a range of topics
Special collections paper conservators are available upon request to deliver workshops and presentations about, but not limited to, proper handling techniques for specific types of unbound objects or for general mixed collections, an introduction to the conservation treatment of unbound paper and other objects in the Harvard libraries, identification of materials and techniques of paper, parchment, and other primary support production, types of seals found on documents, drawing and print materials and techniques for images and texts, watermarks, architectural drawing and prints. Click here to discuss presentations and workshops that will meet the particular needs of your staff.