Cornwall Archive Network & PZ Training day pt. 2

Both training days went down really well, with participants mentioning that they really enjoyed doing some practical work, and it was a nice change from watching a presentation.

Redruth

I structured the day very similarly to the course I attended at the Bodleian, with an introductory presentation describing the background and development of the fascicule system before the practical session started, so that the participants knew what they were aiming for. I had also prepared some Blue Peter style step-by-step examples as well as a few filled fascicules to show the desired outcome. Each participant got a blank fascicule that I had made back at the studio, as well as a selection off cuts of different types of paper to hinge in and some mocked-up “problem” cases. The first half of the morning I demonstrated how to attach the Japanese paper hinges to the items, and then how to attach hinges to the “problem” items. After lunch we prepared the items for hinging in, arranged them in the correct order and then adhered them to the fascicule with a dry WSP. Holly then explained how to insert a multi-page pamphlet, by sewing it to a folded page. Sam, Holly and I were around all day for advice and gave answers to any questions they had.

Bodmin

Cornwall Archives Network & PZ Training Days pt. 1

Preparation for Digitization at Cornish Studies Library in Redruth, The Regimental Museum in Bodmin and The Cornwall Record Office in Truro.

See the PZ Conservation blog post for the full article, written by Holly who prepared and led the training days. All photos were taken at the Regimental Museum in Bodmin by Matt Wreford.

I was tasked with putting together a practical session that linked in with the workshop’s content; which was making and using remoistenable tissue for quick, in-situ paper repairs as part of the digitization process.

photo courtesy of Matt Wreford

These types of repairs require very little moisture, as the repair paper has already been loaded with adhesive which has been left to dry. The adhesive is then re-humidified with a very small amount of water or solvent (or a mix of both). This can be introduced with a paintbrush, a fine spray or by the form of a reservoir, which is what I demonstrated during the training day.

The handout I created can be found here:

Remoistenable Tissue Handout

In the first session of the day we made up three different types of adhesive mostly commonly used for making remoistenable tissue – gelatine, wheat starch paste (WSP) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC). After they were made up, they were then applied to the Japanese paper with brushes, through the paper with a Melinex support. The pieces where then left to dry on the Melinex to be used later.

photo courtesy of Matt Wreford

In the afternoon session, the attendees were shown how to remoisten the tissue, using the reservoir method, developed at the national archives. This ensures an even distribution of moisture, but does not saturate the tissue. Each attendee was given a small sample sheet to adhere the tissue to as an example, and also given a piece of damaged historical paper for them to repair.

photo courtesy of Matt Wreford