Page 32 - August 2018

than basic preservation techniques allow. Conservation repaired. Along with this report, he or she will provide
treatment chemically stabilizes and physically strengthens a written treatment proposal with dif erent options for
items to lengthen their lives, of en using non-original correcting the problem, including what each option would
material. An example would include repairing a torn accomplish, how long it would take, and what it would cost.
historic letter using a new piece of Japanese paper. Although Once you choose an option, the conservator can begin
conservation can be expensive and time-consuming, it work.
is sometimes necessary to protect your rare and valuable Af er the conservator f nishes treatment of the document,
documents and books (see Figure 6). photograph, or book, he or she should provide you with
Some specialists work with paper, and others work with a f nal report listing the techniques and materials used.
photographs or books. You can call a local museum, library, It should also include photographs or slides showing the
or the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) for condition of the piece both before and af er treatment. You
referrals to professional conservators who practice in your should keep this report in your lodge records in case the
area. T ey can also provide an outline of what to expect piece needs additional treatment later.
from a conservator. Be prepared to provide the conservator
with information about: CONCLUSION
T is brochure has recommended techniques you can use
■ the type of problem you want solved (for example, torn to preserve your Masonic lodge's documents and books
paper, brittleness. fading image, or detached binding). yourself. It has also provided information on hiring an
■ how you expect to use the piece (for example, for an outside professional to conserve especially fragile or rare
exhibit in Masonic lodge). pieces. Prioritize your projects, keeping your budget in
■ environmental conditions such as light, temperature, and mind. If you have to choose, it is better to create a stable
humidity in your storage area environment for most of the collection than to have a few
■ what type of folders, boxes, and shelving you are using, items conserved.
and
■ what outcome you desire from treatment of your item (for
example, repair a torn certif cate, reattach the binding to a BIBLIOGRAPHY
book, f atten a rolled photograph). Most of these books and journals can be found at your
local library, bookstore, or on the Internet at amazon.com
or barnesandnoble.com.

American Institute for Conservation. Guidelines for
Selecting a Conservator. Washington, D.C.: AIC, 1991.

Applebaum, Barbara. Guide to Environmental Protection
of Collections. Madison, Conn.: Sound View Press. 1991.
Baldwin. Gordon. Looking at Photographs. Malibu. Calif.:
J. Paul Getty Museum. 1991.
Clapp. Anne F. Curatorial Care of Works of Art on Paper.
New York: Nick Lyons Books. 1987.

Cunha, George M. "Conserving Local Archival Materials on
a Limited Budget." AASLH Technical Leaf et #86. History
News, Vol. 30, November 1975.

DeWitt, Donald I.. "Leather Bookbindings: Preservation
Techniques." AASLH Technical Leaf et #98. History News,
Vol. 32. August 1977.

Eaton, George. Conservation of Photographs (Kodak
Publication No. F-4). Rochester. N.Y: Eastman Kodak
Figure 6. It is best to have a conservator unroll photographs like Company, 1985.
these to prevent cracking the emulsion. Photograph courtesy of
Northeast Document Conservation Center. Gaylord Preservation Pathf nder. Syracuse, N.Y.: Gaylord
Bros., 1998.
Once you contact a conservator, he or she will come to
your facility to brief y examine the document or book and Glaser, Mary Todd. "Storage Solutions for Oversized Paper
propose treatment. If you decide to proceed, the conservator Artifacts." AASLH Technical Leaf et #188, History News,
will then take the historic document, photograph, or book Vol. 49. July/August 1994.
back to his or her laboratory to prepare an in-depth report Greenf eld. Jane. Books: T eir Care and Repair. New York:
describing the materials and structure of the item, how it H. W. Wilson, 1983.
was made, and the location and extent of damage to be
Page 32 Montana Freemason August 2018