Paper
The conservation of 40,000 King County Maps
Our conservation work adds value to King County’s project to ensure future access to 40,000 historic maps.
Chine Collé: Printing ink on thin paper pressed into thick paper; “The Highland Shepherd’s Dog”, Sir E. Landseer, 14 ¼” x 20 ¼”, 1860
Before Treatment: Chine collé is delaminating from the larger support. The support is also torn and the large vertical stain (tide line) is the result of water damage.
After Treatment: Both the chine collé paper and the support were cleaned and repaired and are now brighter and stronger. The stain has been removed and image aesthetic was improved.
Print on Paper: Printing and watercolour on paper; 17 7/8″ x 25″, 1872
Before Treatment: Water damage and dark acid staining from poor backing material compete with image.
After Treatment: The restored print was washed and the stains were reduced. The paper support was much more flexible and healthy after.
Book: Ink on paper, Sir Isaac Newton, “Opticks: A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light,” The Royal Society, London, 1704
Before Treatment: A detail of the bottom right corner showing perforations through the paper.
After Treatment: The perforated holes were filled with a slurry of cellulose powder and ink loss was toned in.
Watercolour on Paper: Watercolor on paper – unframed; 12 1/4″ x 17 1/2″ c.1930
Before Treatment: Image is obscured by overall darkening and large stains due to acid from a poor quality backing (i.e.: plywood).
After Treatment: Image is much brighter and paper is healthier and less brittle.
Document: Printing ink and hand written inscriptions on paper; 8″ x 10 1/2″, 1913
Before Treatment: Document shows overall discoloration and presence of pressure sensitive tape and the stains associated with it. Also visible are edge tears and losses of paper support.
After Treatment: Document after dry surface cleaning. The adhesive tape and stains were removed using solvents and aqueous treatment was carried out. The document was then lined to a light-weight paper to provide overall support.
Photograph: Black and White photograph on fiber-based paper.
Before Treatment: A thick layer of dirt, grime and cigarette tar obscure the image.
After Treatment: Surface dirt, grime and tar have been removed using solvents and image clarity has been restored.
Double-Sided Paper Fan: Watercolour, ink, ivory and fabric on paper supported by a metal structure, 7 ¾” x 15 ¼”
Before Treatment: Paper support was separated along many of the metal “ribs” and a few sections were missing (far left).
After Treatment: Tears were repaired and strengthened with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste. The lost support sections were recreated and the lost media was toned to integrate the image.read more>>
Crayon Enlargement: Photographic emulsion on paper on board.
Hand colored with charcoal. 14 1/2″ x 22 3/4″, oval. n.d.n.
Before Treatment: Artwork has media torn and surface damage.
After Treatment: Artwork was lightly cleaned, then inpainted to integrate media loss.