Paper

The conservation of 40,000 King County Maps

King County MapsOur conservation work adds value to King County’s project to ensure future access to 40,000 historic maps.

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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

chine-bBefore 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.

Chine colléAfter 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.

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Print on Paper: Printing and watercolour on paper; 17 7/8″ x 25″, 1872

Print on Paper before Before Treatment: Water damage and dark acid staining from poor backing material compete with image.

print-aAfter Treatment: The restored print was washed and the stains were reduced. The paper support was much more flexible and healthy after.

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Book: Ink on paper, Sir Isaac Newton, “Opticks: A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light,” The Royal Society, London, 1704

paper-newton-bBefore Treatment: A detail of the bottom right corner showing perforations through the paper.

paper-newton-aAfter Treatment: The perforated holes were filled with a slurry of cellulose powder and ink loss was toned in.

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Watercolour on Paper: Watercolor on paper – unframed; 12 1/4″ x 17 1/2″ c.1930

paper-watercolour-bBefore Treatment: Image is obscured by overall darkening and large stains due to acid from a poor quality backing (i.e.: plywood).

paper-watercolour-aAfter Treatment: Image is much brighter and paper is healthier and less brittle.

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Document: Printing ink and hand written inscriptions on paper; 8″ x 10 1/2″, 1913

paper-document-bBefore 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.

paper-document-aAfter 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.

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Photograph: Black and White photograph on fiber-based paper.

paper-photograph-bBefore Treatment: A thick layer of dirt, grime and cigarette tar obscure the image.

paper-photograph-aAfter Treatment: Surface dirt, grime and tar have been removed using solvents and image clarity has been restored.

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Double-Sided Paper Fan: Watercolour, ink, ivory and fabric on paper supported by a metal structure, 7 ¾” x 15 ¼”

paper-fan-bBefore Treatment: Paper support was separated along many of the metal “ribs” and a few sections were missing (far left).

paper-fan-aAfter 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.

paper-crayon-bBefore Treatment: Artwork has media torn and surface damage.

paper-crayon-aAfter Treatment: Artwork was lightly cleaned, then inpainted to integrate media loss.

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