Sample Treatment Report
Client:
Ms. Mary Jo Davis
PO Box 232, West Burke, VT 05871
Date: May 8, 2012
Lab No.: 12-P-39
Title: Yacht America | Type: Lithography (two-toned) | Artist: anon | Dimensions: 16” x 22”
Date of Manufacture: 1851 | Platemark: no | Media: blue and black printing inks | Publisher: Brown & Severin
Engraver: G. W. Lewis | Watermark: no | Attachments/Frames: yes, not original Inscriptions: verso of secondary support “VA 3041-16”
Condition Summary: The artwork suffers from foxing, surface soiling, severe overall discoloration, and matburn as a result of poor-quality framing materials and overexposure to light.
TREATMENT REPORT:
1. The artwork was examined and reports written. Photo documentation in the form of digital imagery was carried out before and after treatment.
2. Surface soiling on the recto and verso of the print was reduced using grated eraser crumbs (Artgum) gently rolled over the artwork. The crumbs were cleared with a soft brush.
3. The lithograph was placed face down on a prepared work surface and the secondary support was removed with mechanical action and a scalpel. The residual, wax-based adhesive was reduced with the appropriate solvent (Acetone).
3. The artwork was humidified in a chamber in preparation for aqueous treatment. At this time further testing of the media was carried out and found stable for treatment.
4. The artwork was float-washed on a bath of filtered water. A second bath was carried out in a similar manner conditioned to pH 8.5 with calcium hydroxide (Sigma Chemical) in preparation for bleaching. The artwork was air-dried on a screen.
5. Further reduction of the overall discoloration and disfiguring stains was carried out using mild chemical bleach (3% solution of hydrogen peroxide [TALAS] adjusted to pH 9 with calcium hydroxide) applied overall in the form of a mist. After treatment, the lithograph was rinsed several times and air-dried on a screen.
6. The artwork was rehumidified and placed between two sheets of 100% polyester spun fabric, dry blotters and then weighted with Plexiglas and light weights to correct any planar distortions present.
7. The artwork was reframed using a new frame, UV filtering glass and archival materials. Hinges using Japanese tissue were attached to the top verso margin with wheat starch paste (Aytex) to aid in framing.
Conservator:__________________________________Date______________________