Encapsulation of detiorating newspaper

[Dave]

I have a deteriorating newspaper page that I planned on encapsulating.

There are several chunks of the paper that have broken off that I'd like to include in their proper positioning. The paper itself is quite brittle.

Any suggestions as to how I might accomplish this? Will the melinex itself be able to hold the small bits in place? I do have some of Lineco's document repair tape and could use that to adhere the pieces first.

Does anyone have any other suggestions. Presentation is more important than preservation with this piece.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Cliff Wilson]

I would guess that the static and curvature would hold the pieces in "relative" position.

If it was a job I was doing, I'd probably suggest that we try that first and if the customer wasn't happy I would THEN take it apart and use micro dot and very fine small mulberry paper to keep the pieces in relative position with their nearest "large" neighbor.

 

[preservator]

Scanning the original and framing that scan is the safest way to go with any such item. It will not survive well in the light and is best preserved in a folder in the dark.



Hugh

 

[smitten]

If you have a heat press and preservation is not the foremost concern I would use fusion 4000 on it. On top of a release board, lay a piece of fusion larger than the piece by a couple of inches; lay the art on top and run through the press for a cycle. The fusion will adhere to the back of the piece and lightly to the release board. Then with a small tacking iron attach the missing pieces to the fusion with medium pressure using a piece of release paper as a cover between the piece and the iron. Once all the bits have been attached run through a cycle again. At this point, all the tears and bits should be joined together held by the fusion. Finally, with a sharp x-acto knife cut the art free of the release board following all the nooks and crannies of the ripped edge so no fusion shows from the edge of the final piece. Find a rag mat that matches or is neutral to the art as it will probably show at the edge of the piece and run the piece through a cycle to mount it to the rag board. All together, supported by a new sub straight and flat who could ask for more.

 

[Jim Miller]

As usual, Hugh's suggestion is best -- reproduce it and frame the copy. The cost of a good inkjet print might be totally offset by cheaper mounting, and the original could be kept in safe storage.

If framing the original is the preference of the informed customer, then I would suggest a Clear Film Overlay Mount. That is like encapsulation, except that a 4-ply alphacellulose board replaces the back sheet of clear film. The "toothy" surface of a board backer would tend to hold the paper in place under an overlay of clear film (convex side down), better than using two slippery sheets of clear film -- especially if you use a cotton board. Cotton boards generally have longer fibers than purified pulp boards, and so they are usually "toothier".

This would also be a good candidate for a fine mesh overlay mount, using Stabiltex or Crepeline. That would do at least as good a job of retaining the fragile paper (probably better), and the fine mesh fabric would impart no gloss. Costs more for labor and for materials, though.

 

[Jay H]

I personally would suggest what Huge says. I do restorations and printing in house anyway so thats typical advice here. That is another piece that just doesn't belong in a frame if protection is a concern. If they still want the origional framed, then all bets are off. I would probably place it on suede and mash it up against glass with a sturdy backing. That will hold it.

 

[Dave]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll chat with my customer and then proceed accordingly.