Working with an old folded letter.

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tombe

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I may be getting a typed (not sure how much) letter that has been folded in its envelope since the 60's I think she said. How would one work with it? One suggestion I gave was to make a copy and store original. How would one store original? I have an idea but would like to see what others do. She said she was thinking of framing the original. What could be done with the original short of taking to a conservator to get it ready? It know doubt has been handled a bit. I know one could flatten a bit between something. Do you think placing between Alpharag or Alphamat Artcare 2 or 4 ply with extra weight (would the Zeolites do anything for it) for a few days would do anything much for it over just regular acid/lignin free board. Would probably just brush off for cleaning or is there something else that can be done to prepare it. again what would be a good approach for dealing with this and I quess any old paper item as far as getting it cleaned up a bit. Is there some source to go to. Hope this came off Ok. Thanks. Also not sure platform mount would work over hinging as it may be pretty thin paper. Will be framing with rag mats etc.
 
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I would wait until it actually comes in and then post some pictures here.
This could be a two-sided letter, which would be a different approach altogether. It could be extremely fragile. It could be on heavy weight paper.
There is nothing you can do about the creases. I don't even know if a conservator might be able to do anything about that, but you can always refer her to one to find out.

Encapsulation might be the way to go. Getting some of Jim Miller's books would be a good first step, if you don't have them already.
 
Ylva said:
I would wait until it actually comes in and then post some pictures here.
This could be a two-sided letter, which would be a different approach altogether. It could be extremely fragile. It could be on heavy weight paper.
There is nothing you can do about the creases. I don't even know if a conservator might be able to do anything about that, but you can always refer her to one to find out.

Encapsulation might be the way to go. Getting some of Jim Miller's books would be a good first step, if you don't have them already.
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Thanks. Said it was 8 x 10 but could be 8 1/2 x 11. I do know it is on one side but not sure of weight. Trying to contact her. I do have at least a couple of Jim's things.
 
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What Ylva said...
Don't get too far ahead of yourself trying to guess what is in store.
If you have the slightest inkling that the piece might be damaged attempting to unfold it, get it to a conservator. The fiber of the paper has been weakened at the fold, and separation while handling it a distinct possibility.
 
Great advise above.

This is what happened to us:
It was a letter from Jaquar, to the owner of the first sold Jaquar automobile to enter the U.S.A. It too was folded but in good condition and not fragile. ( Paper quality was much better then )
This is what we did:
Scanned the letter and envelope. The envelope was missing a corner, had it digitally repaired. Both were printed on a heavy high quality paper. The results were outstanding. The letter and envelope reproductions were folded at the fold lines for an authentic look.
The originals are put back as they were ( customers request ) when received. The original was encapsulated and was cased in the frame package with a letter describing the framing procedure. ( Information for who ever would someday reopen the frame package )
The framing of the copies was as if they were the originals. 8 ply rag, Museum Glass, sealing, preservation dust cover, everything required.
The customer was not new to framing practices, as we educate our customers. His comment when he received the framing was, It looks awesome, but, I thought we agreed not to frame the original. Made my day.
 
wpfay said:
What Ylva said...
Don't get too far ahead of yourself trying to guess what is in store.
If you have the slightest inkling that the piece might be damaged attempting to unfold it, get it to a conservator. The fiber of the paper has been weakened at the fold, and separation while handling it a distinct possibility.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that warning.
 
David Hewitt said:
Great advise above.

This is what happened to us:
It was a letter from Jaquar, to the owner of the first sold Jaquar automobile to enter the U.S.A. It too was folded but in good condition and not fragile. ( Paper quality was much better then )
This is what we did:
Scanned the letter and envelope. The envelope was missing a corner, had it digitally repaired. Both were printed on a heavy high quality paper. The results were outstanding. The letter and envelope reproductions were folded at the fold lines for an authentic look.
The originals are put back as they were ( customers request ) when received. The original was encapsulated and was cased in the frame package with a letter describing the framing procedure. ( Information for who ever would someday reopen the frame package )
The framing of the copies was as if they were the originals. 8 ply rag, Museum Glass, sealing, preservation dust cover, everything required.
The customer was not new to framing practices, as we educate our customers. His comment when he received the framing was, It looks awesome, but, I thought we agreed not to frame the original. Made my day.
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That is helpful. I do not like the idea much of framing the original. It is something of some importance.
 
Framing a copy of items like that is always a good idea.
David's scenario is the perfect example of how that should go.
I try to educate my customers to that point as well.
The trick is to explain it in a way that they understand it is in their best interest in the long run.
 
Ylva said:
I would wait until it actually comes in and then post some pictures here.
This could be a two-sided letter, which would be a different approach altogether. It could be extremely fragile. It could be on heavy weight paper.
There is nothing you can do about the creases. I don't even know if a conservator might be able to do anything about that, but you can always refer her to one to find out.

Encapsulation might be the way to go. Getting some of Jim Miller's books would be a good first step, if you don't have them already.
Click to expand...
What is usually a good candidate for encapsulation (paper items) and do you know where there is some up to date info on doing it. She will be framing the actual letter and is normal printing page wt. and in decent shape. May make a separate post related to encapsulation. Doubt I will being doing it with this letter though, will see. I do have Jim's book on object framing and he has some things in there.
 
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If I'm not mistaken I believe encapsulation instructions are in the book. If not, Jim Miller probably will see this post and guide you to which book or web cam he has for the instruction.
If not, I or someone else will guide you and list the materials needed.
 
tombe said:
What is usually a good candidate for encapsulation (paper items) and do you know where there is some up to date info on doing it. She will be framing the actual letter and is normal printing page wt. and in decent shape. May make a separate post related to encapsulation. Doubt I will being doing it with this letter though, will see. I do have Jim's book on object framing and he has some things in there.
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You might want to get Jim's other book as well (DCO). Well worth it.
 
I really need help on deciding on whether I should encapsulate letter or is it ok not to. She has decided to frame the original letter that is in pretty good shape. I would be paper (100% Kozo) and paste hinging to 4 ply alpharag mountboard and 8 ply alpha rag mat, museum glass, coroplast support, lining frame, and marvelseal dust cover/backing.
 
If the paper can hold its own weight, consider a platform mount, no hinges needed.
Your frame package is a form of encapsulation. Taping the glass to backboard prevents migration from frame impurities as well as bug infestation.
 
tombe said:
I really need help on deciding on whether I should encapsulate letter or is it ok not to. She has decided to frame the original letter that is in pretty good shape. I would be paper (100% Kozo) and paste hinging to 4 ply alpharag mountboard and 8 ply alpha rag mat, museum glass, coroplast support, lining frame, and marvelseal dust cover/backing.
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If you can avoid changing the letter's condition at all, that would be better than using any sort of adhesive for hinging.

Count me among the proponents of framing a high-quality digital reproduction suitably folded, stained, or otherwise "artificially aged" to mimic the appearance of the original, which could then be kept in safe storage. And in that case, preservation framing is no longer a concern.
 
Jim Miller said:
If you can avoid changing the letter's condition at all, that would be better than using any sort of adhesive for hinging.

Count me among the proponents of framing a high-quality digital reproduction suitably folded, stained, or otherwise "artificially aged" to mimic the appearance of the original, which could then be kept in safe storage. And in that case, preservation framing is no longer a concern.
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I did mention that to her and that fading may occur, etc. but still wants original framed. She realizes it will age and not sure how long will last. The paper is like normal typing paper in pretty good shape. You mentioned platform mount. Do you think that wt of paper would be ok for platform mount or would encapsulation be better or just hinging would be ok. What I worry about is any impurities (or whatever) in items will be sealed in. Having difficulty deciding as you can see.
 
tombe said:
... You mentioned platform mount. Do you think that wt of paper would be ok for platform mount or would encapsulation be better or just hinging would be ok. What I worry about is any impurities (or whatever) in items will be sealed in. Having difficulty deciding as you can see.
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Platform Mounting works for matted documents in fairly good condition and, since all four edges are fully supported, the paper would suffer little or no stress from the mount.

It may be true that encapsulation would tend to seal in whatever is already in the paper, but since it's already there, it generally isn't exacerbated by the mounting. Encapsulation is not an air-tight mounting method when double-sided tape is used to create it. Anyway, it shouldn't help or hinder the chemistry of the paper.

I would consider hinging a method of last resort. It would permanently change the document and it's more risky than other mounting methods.
 
Jim Miller said:
Platform Mounting works for matted documents in fairly good condition and, since all four edges are fully supported, the paper would suffer little or no stress from the mount.

It may be true that encapsulation would tend to seal in whatever is already in the paper, but since it's already there, it generally isn't exacerbated by the mounting. Encapsulation is not an air-tight mounting method when double-sided tape is used to create it. Anyway, it shouldn't help or hinder the chemistry of the paper.

I would consider hinging a method of last resort. It would permanently change the document and it's more risky than other mounting methods.
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Thanks. Do you think you would platform mount? Letter is 8.5 by 11 in pretty good shape for being folded up and would be overlapping by 1/4 inch all around. I may do that as it seems if any problem came up could be dealt with. I read that things like this are encapsulated often and not sure that would be better for it. In other words, when is encapsulation batter. I ordered you DCO book. Hope to get this figured out and help others. Thanks for your and others time.
 
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