old photo

[Randall C Colvin]

A customer has an old photo(probably late 1800's) on matboard - very brittle and in several pieces. She wants it framed as an "artifact" - that is on the surface of the mat with with the broken pieces slightly separated. She insists that its OK to glue the pieces to the matboard since she is only interested in presenting it as a decorative piece and it apparently has no significant sentimental or monetary value. Were the thing all in one piece, I'd think a sink mat or mylar encapsulation might be good but with it in pieces....What other options would you suggest?

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Can you post a photo. Depending on what you have you could use Beva Film to adhere the pieces with slight gaps and not show the film.

 

[Randall C Colvin]

I'm not familiar with Beva film. Can you explain?

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Beva is a heat activated film which is archival and used in conservation jobs that need backing/support. It is like drymount tissue that can be reversed and causes no harm. The loose pieces can be layed out and attached with slight gaps showing what the customer wants in fragmented look but still hold it all together.

I think it is Rob Markoff that will sell small quantities. Could also be John Raines but one of our Grumblers buys large rolls and will sell just what you need so you don't have to spend more on the film than the entire job will produce.

 

[Prospero]

Old board tends to deteriorate to the point where it is immpossible to stick anything to it. It will just lift off the top layer. Test a small area first.