Parchment question

[eroomas]

A customer of mine brought in an old 19th century parchment cert. that is badly creased. Does anyone out there know of a safe way to flatten? I've had it sandwiched between two pieces of rag under glass with weights for four weeks to no avail.I'm considering adding a little moisture.If anyone has any experience with this kind of thing I sure would appreciate your insight.
thanks

 

[Bill Henry-]

Do not wet it!

If it is a real parchment made out of animal skin it is extremely hygroscopic. Parchment absorbs moisture very easily and will swell and buckle where it is wet.

When it dries, it will dry unevenly so you will end up with a very crinkly document. Likewise, if you heat it in a press, it will shrink very unevenly.

When faced with these problems, I tell the customer that the creases are part of the “character” of the piece, and they ought to leave it as is.

Almost anything you try will leave you with a mess that you may not be able to repair.

 

[eroomas]

Thanks Framing God, I'll take your advice.I knew about the heat but obviously not about the moisture. Thanks again.

 

[Jim Miller]

This is a job for a conservator, especially if the document is expected to endure. I suggest you contact a paper or leather specialist and get a general idea about what conservation treatment might be appropriate and then offer that information to the customer. You can probably get a rough estimate of the cost if you send the conservator a few digital images.

Consumers and framers often tend to avoid conservation treatment, thinking it's too expensive, just as consumers think framing is too expensive. In both cases, it's generally because the potential buyer does not understand the value of it.

Usually conservation treatment is not too expensive, but it is the best way to improve the condition, longevity, and cosmetic appearance of a document, and most customers who proceed think it represents a good value.

 

[Paul Frederick]

Softening parchment

place over damp blotters, under pressure for 48 hours. Them over dry blotters for another three days.

 

[Rebecca]

There are a lot of different kinds of parchments, ink, seals etc. around and what might work for one would be dangerous overkill for others. The previous poster's advice would be towards the "strenuous" end of the spectrum, and one that I personally would not do.

I have had good results humidifying gently with Gore-tex (available from Talas) and then stretch drying. The table top is misted with deionized water, the Gor-tex lain over that, the parchment placed face up on the Gore-tex, and covered with Mylar, so that I can keep an eye on the inks etc.

When humidified ( and this can take from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on the above variables) I remove the parchment to dry, clean table top, place strips of 8-ply laminated to Coroplast (These are 2" wide and of varying lengths) around the perimeter, and weight. My weights are lead shot in small mason jars, everyone has their own system, but they have to be heavy.

This might take 3 times repetition or so, go slow and easy is the motto. It is not a huge problem to repeat the process, but if it goes too far there is no going back.

This general system has worked for parchments from 1450 - present, though there will always be exceptions to the rule that one should be alert for.

Hope this helps.

Rebecca

 

[preservator]

It may be simplest to make a copy of the document and frame that and leave the original, in a folder, in the dark.



Hugh