Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Photographic Conservation Condition Report and Treatment Proposal

Transcription

1 Harry Ransm Humanities Research Center THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Phtgraphic Cnservatin Cnditin Reprt and Treatment Prpsal Master Cntrl N.: Cllectin Persnnel: Helen Adair Department: Perfrming Arts Date f Reprt: 02/05/09 Cnservatr: Beth Antine Supervising Cnservatr: Barbara Brwn MC N.: Title/subject: 477.2, Assignment 8, Setup 45, Take 2 Phtgrapher: Nrman Bel Geddes & C., New Yrk (NBG) Accessin N.: Pht Bx 15 Dimensins: (H x W): 8 1/16 in. x 10 in Prcess: Gelatin Develping-ut Print n fiber-based paper Descriptin: The silver gelatin develping ut print in black and white prtrays a tw-man airplane mdel suspended in frnt f a backdrp f a cludy sky. The view f the plane is frm the tp as it is flying dwn and tward the right. The print has a glssy surface finish, and there is a 5-7mm margin arund all fur edges f the image. Lines f retuch extend frm the wings and the tail f the plane t the tp edge f the image, apparently t cver wires used t suspend the mdel. A black label with white text, listing the subject f the image and the phtgrapher, appears at the bttm edge f the image area. There is a black stamp n the vers, which reads, K 02. Cnditin: The print is in pr cnditin verall with severe planar distrtin, tears, flds, creases, lss f emulsin, disclratin, surface grime, and adhesive staining n the vers. The disclred phtgraphy paper is cream, and the silver image material ranges frm cream t nearly black with an verall warm tne, likely caused by pr prcessing. Tight flds appear at each bttm crner and each have an assciated tear, likely caused by handling. The tear n the left is tw inches frm the bttm edge and extends tw cm frm the left edge and int the image area. On the right, the tear extends nly ne centimeter, remaining in the margin area. Tw tight creases extend vertically the full height f the sheet. One is fund just t the right f the center; the ther is tw inches t its right. The paper is severely weakened near the middle f the crease n the right. The creases have caused the emulsin layer t crack severely and buckle as the paper curls upward. There are several small areas f emulsin lss alng the creases and assciated cracks. The vers f the sheet exhibits staining frm what appears t be a brushed-n adhesive, likely rubber cement frm a previus munt. Testing: The stamp ink n the vers was tested fr slubility in de-inized water and ethanl with a sft brush and chrmatgraphy paper. N ffset was bserved.

2 2 The retuch was tested fr slubility in de-inized water with a sft brush. N mvement was bserved. The adhesive residue was tested fr slubility in de-inized water and ethanl. The residue readily sftened in ethanl n a sft brush. Phtgraphic dcumentatin: Digital images f the rect and vers were taken befre treatment in nrmal and raking light. Cmment: The print can currently nt be hused flat in a flder due t its distrted and fragile cnditin. The bjective f the treatment is t stabilize and flatten the bject t allw fr safe handling and strage. Treatment Prpsal: 1. Surface clean as pssible. 2. Humidify and flatten verall. 3. Reduce creases with mending tissue n the vers. 4. Mend tears. 5. Cnslidate cracks in emulsin if needed using a fine brush and a dilute gelatin slutin. 6. Huse in archival quality flder. Authrizatin: Curatr: Date: Cnservatr: Date:

3 3 Harry Ransm Humanities Research Center THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Phtgraphic Cnservatin Cnditin and Treatment Reprt Master Cntrl N.: Cllectin Persnnel: Helen Adair Department: Perfrming Arts Cnservatr: Beth Antine Supervising Cnservatr: Barbara Brwn Date f Reprt: 4/23/09 Date Treatment Initiated: 2/19/09 Date Cmpleted: 2/23/09 Returned T: By: Date: Phtgraphic Dcumentatin: Digital images f the rect and vers were taken befre and after treatment in nrmal and raking light. See prpsal abve fr befre dcumentatin.

4 4 MC N.: Title/subject: 477.2, Assignment 8, Setup 45, Take 2 Phtgrapher: Nrman Bel Geddes & C., New Yrk (NBG) Accessin N.: Pht Bx 15 Dimensins: (H x W): 8 1/16 in. x 10 in Prcess: Gelatin Develping-ut Print n fiber-based paper Descriptin: See prpsal abve. Cnditin: See prpsal abve Cmment: See prpsal abve Treatment Prpsal: 1. Surface clean as pssible. 2. Humidify and flatten verall. 3. Reduce creases with mending tissue n the vers. 4. Mend tears. 5. Cnslidate cracks in emulsin if needed using a fine brush and a dilute gelatin slutin. 6. Huse in archival quality flder. Treatment Perfrmed: 1. Humidified verall in humidity chamber fr tw hurs. Lcally weighted with glass weights lined with plyester webbing as needed t encurage tight creases t unfld. Dried under weight between bltters, Hllytex, crrugated bards, and press bards. Left ne week. (2 hrs.) 2. Lcally humidified creases and flds with de-inized water n a sft brush. Flattened lcally under weight until dry. (30 min) 3. Mended tears and reinfrced crease n the back with ne layer f Kizukishi tissue fllwed by ne layer n Lens tissue adhered with de-inized water diluted wheat starch paste. (3 hrs.) 4. Reduced surface dirt and accretins mechanically with micr-spatula and sft brush. (15 min.) 5. Cnslidated flaking emulsin with 2% gelatin slutin under magnificatin. (2.75 hrs.) 6. Humidified verall in humidity chamber fr tw hurs. Dried under weight between bltters, Hllytex, crrugated bards, and press bards. Left ne week. (2 hrs.) 7. Hused in Mylar sleeve inside archival quality flder. (15 min.) Ttal Treatment time: hurs Materials: Kizukishi tissue Lens tissue Mylar

5 5 Ethanl: Chemstre, UT Chemistry Department Research Strerm; Austin, TX Reemay plyester webbing: University Prducts; Hlyke, Massachusetts Csms bltting paper: Rembrandt Graphics; Rsemnt, New Jersey Chrmatgraphy paper: Thmas Scientific; Swedsbrugh, New Jersey Cttn: Chemstre, UT Chemistry Department Research Strerm; Austin, Texas "Zin shfu" Japanese precipitated wheat starch: Hirmi Paper Internatinal C.; Califrnia Gelatin, purified grade, 275 Blm, Lt N , CAS : Fisher Chemical /Fisher Scientific