Seeking Tips for Mounting Old Document

billrobertstudios

True Grumbler
Joined
Jan 12, 2004
Posts
78
Loc
Cumming, GA
Hey!

Woman comes in, pulls out a folded-up piece of paper from her wallet. Turns out to be a letter written in 1891... acutally a summons written to someone, probably by the clerk of the court or something. She is giving it to her attorney son for Christmas.

I convinced her to use conservation methods, and she agreed... museum board, museum glass, etc.

Here is the problem. The writer left absolutely no margin and wrote across the paper from edge to edge. We decided to float it.

If it were junk, I would dry-mount it flat to a foam core a bit smaller than the piece and it would lay flat.

Any thoughts on how to float-mount it while having it lay relitively flat against the backing?

Thanks,

Bill
 
I'm definitely not the expert on this procedure, but can throw in my 2 cents' worth.

Work on flattening the wrinkles with a boning tool. I have also used United's acid-free tape to help flatten the wrinkle by running it along the crease line (on the reverse side, of course).

Encapsulate with Mylar, leaving a 1/8 inch space from document to ATG tape. Float this against coordinating mat board. Top mat with 1/16 inch open space.

I like to add depth by taping strips of acid-free foamboard around the outer edges of the bottom mat (wide enough to give good support to the top mat, narrow enough to be hidden in the finished product), creating a gap that gives nice detail.

This might not be considered 'professional' enough, but works for me until I have the opportunity to learn more. Of course, if the item is considered to have HIGH value, or both sides need to be seen, a paper conservator would be the best option to get the wrinkles smoothed out.

kaffeetrinker_2.gif
 
It's a letter from 1891, I don't see the need to get the wrinkles out. It's part of the "history" of the piece. Encapsulate it in Mylar, allow the edges to show.

Flatten the wrinkles by taping the reverse? NEVER!
 
From a preservation standpoint is there anything wrong with laying the letter directly on a piece of rag mat and using mylar over the front? It seems to me the exposure to the adhesive would be the same, and I don't think the rag mat would be a problem. You could then mat over it easily.
 
Is this going to be a conversation piece or are you truly interested in archival conservation? If just a conversation I'd mount it using Artcare Restore, float it and be done with it. If, though, it is going to be totally archival/conservation project, then you're probably on the right track with the encapsulation concept
 
Clear film is the right choice, but I suggest:

1. Do not use ATG tape with clear film. It is too thick for encapsulation mounting, and it is too gummy to adhere to ther slippery plastic film -- it will fail. Use 3M #889 double-sided polyester tape instead.

2. If the back does not need to show, instead of using two sheets of clear film, use one as an overlay with a backer of alphacellulose board. Otherwise the procedure is the same -- place tape strips within 1/4" of the paper's edges; burnish thoroughly, and cover them with a window mat.
 
Are the folds even the issue here?

I would hinge it to a rag backer the size of the frame/glass with wheat-starched Japanese paper pass-through hinges.

Mat as usual with an opening cut slightly larger than the summons paper. I like deasonsbench idea of rasing the mat up just a bit to allow for the character of the folded paper.

I find, even with some sexy framed samples on display here, most folks resist the mylar because of its shine. I use it when have to, but in this case it sounds like it might not be necessary.

It sounds like a wonderful gift.

edie the niftygifty goddess
 
I just recently had a two page letter from the 1800's that a gentleman wanted framed and viewable from both sides. After beseeching of him to make copies which he declined, I chose to encapsulate them. They were also written to the edge of the paper. Encapsulation made it possible to mount to the very edge so all could be read. I sure would not feel qualified to flatten out a crease by any means on an old document. Leave that for the professionals. If the paper is particularly fragile you will be in a world of hurt if you choose to mess with it.
 
Most letters prior to WWI were written to the edges of the paper as an economic measure. In those days good letter-writing stationary was scarce and costly, and etiquette did not dictate edge margins.

Most of the old letters & documents we've framed have been sharply creased for decades. Encapsulation or clear film overlay mounts will tend to flatten the creases somewhat, but they will still be there and quite visible.

Rather than try to remove the creases, celebrate them. As Maryann says, the creases are part of that paper's history -- they give it character.
 
Thanks to all for the tips! I learned about some great techniques... so why do they call this the "Grumble," anyway? I don't have anything to grumble about!

Warmest aloha,

Bill
 
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