Due to their sensitive nature, vellum and parchment manuscripts must be handled with great care. Vellum has a tendency to warp and cockle when exposed to fluctuations in humidity. Pictured above you can see a previously rolled vellum manuscript…
I would like to introduce my friend and colleague Susanne Baker, papermaker, marbler and bookbinding extraordinaire. Susanne exudes magic and whimsy in all of her creative endeavors, and derives great joy from both creating gorgeous, high-quality handmade papers, as…
This sensitive and honest article takes a look at the life of John James Audubon, and the way he related to Native Americans and African Americans. He apparently had slaves, and was a supporter of the practice of slavery.…
This is a question that I encounter frequently in my work with historic documents. Everything from land indentures to family bibles other documents contain iron gall ink. The recipe is said to have originated with Pliny the Elder, an…
It’s pretty interesting seeing what is going on underneath the surface of many paintings. This video provides an overview of the useful information gleaned by conservators and museum staff from XRF analysis. Often, there may be a different painting…
Iron gall ink corrosion can cause serious damage to historic documents. We have Pliny the Elder to thank for the ink recipe that originated in Greece. Iron gall ink was commonly created by adding iron ore and oak galls…
The Gallery & Collections Coordinator at an area university recently brought in a set of 14th century engravings created by Hans Sebald Beham. Like many works of art in need of the care and attention of a skilled conservator,…
Do you have a baptismal certificate or other historic family document that is acidic, yellowing, or damaged? Many times, these types of family heirlooms are found in attics, basements, or tucked away in a box after many years of…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964830519310649?fbclid=IwAR3MZXzXamLu2gz1oMHMRmT-i5myFp28aU3J40Of0dB7H5Iau-vpAtNNKDE An interesting article on the removal of fungal staining complexes from paper using rigid hydrogels and adjusting pH.…
Repairing and restoring historic maps and antique photographs.…