Ancient to Industrial: Papyri Conservation to Board Slotting.
The past twelve months have come and gone so quickly. For my last two months at the Barbara Goldsmith Book & Paper Conservation Lab of NYU Libraries, I learned a new technique for board reattachment, board slotting, and had the opportunity to treat a papyrus fragment.
The board slotting technique is a method for attaching loose boards to a textblock. This method of board reattachment is used in libraries where large numbers of books need to be treated, providing an assembly line style of treatment. I used the lab’s Jeff Peachey board slotting machine. (To learn more please visit: jeffpeachey.com). Slots were cut into each board on an angle, which facilitates the opening of the board. I constructed a hinge of two sheets of Sekishu paper adhered with PVA and toned with acrylics, which I then inserted into the slots of the boards. In some treatments, if the end caps were missing, I made them off the book from toned Japanese paper laminate and cord.
Top: During Treatment.
Top: After assembly of the new reback material.
My last treatment was of a papyrus fragment, under the supervision of the Special Collections Conservator Lou Di Gennaro. [To learn more about the papyri project please visit the blog post by Project Conservator Claire Kenny]
Lou introduced me to papyrus characteristics treatment methodologies. My treatment of the papyrus included gentle humidification, reduction of surface soiling, and straightening folded flaps of papyri fibers. I performed minor tear mending and consolidated delaminated layers of the papyrus to reduce the risk of further damage. Treating this fragment made me realize that papyrus is much more resilient than its delicate appearance suggests.
Top: Treating papyrus under the microscope.
Top: After humidification surface dirt absorbed into the dampened blotter.
Top: Detail of the papyri fragment before fiber straightening in transmitted light.
Top: Detail of the papyri fragment after fiber straightening in transmitted light.
I can’t believe how much I have learned during my time at NYU. My experience has been very fulfilling, and I appreciate the time and attention I receive from the Special Collections Conservators Lou Di Gennaro, Dawn Mankowski, Preventive Conservator Jessica Pace, and Project Conservators Alex Bero and Claire Kenny. The Conservation Librarian, Laura McCann, has been a great mentor who ensured I received a holistic experience as I enter the Libraries and Archives Conservation profession.
-Post by Lyudmyla Bua, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow for Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Study in Libraries and Archives Conservation at Buffalo State, SUNY.
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