Conserving surveys of caves

[Pitlamp]

The NPC library has a large number of surveys, some very old and in a poor state. I'd like to repair tears in some of these. Don't want to use Sellotape as it's not a long term solution ( it stains the paper brown and falls off eventually, leaving adhesive residues). Wondering about decorator's masking tape (on the back). Or can forum members suggest anything better?

There's talk of scanning / digitising these but this is a long term aim and the priority at the moment is to conserve the originals.

 

[martinr]

How about PH Neutral Art / Archive Tape?

 

[Pitlamp]

P.S. if Mary sees this it'd also be interesting to learn how the BCL deals with damaged surveys.

 

[Pitlamp]

Thanks Martinr; something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PH7-70-Conservation-Mount-fixing-Frame/dp/B00HZ0BCZA/ref=asc_df_B00HZ0BCZA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697265147963&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13426024045739134106&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006854&hvtargid=pla-350912209097&psc=1&mcid=c0cf640557d3355f93d78e57029d01ba&gad_source=1

 

[Leclused]

Contact a book/paper restorer

ACA Paper Restoration | Professional Restoration Services | Prints, Watercolors, Maps & More

In business for over 40 years, our restoration services include prints, watercolors, pastels, drawings, photographs, documents, maps, memorabilia, and more!

acapaperrestoration.com

 

[Alex]

Why not digitise it? Maybe that's the best way of preserving it in the long-run.

 

[alanw]

https://scotchbrand.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/v100008325/

Scotch Book Repair Tape​

Ideal for repairing, reinforcing, and protecting the spine, edges, and surfaces of books, magazines, folders, etc
Can also be used for small laminating applications

 

[Roger W]

Somewhere I heard of Japanese tissue paper. Very thin, very strong. Can't remember more at this time of night...

 

[mikem]

Advice seems sensible in here, although I haven't tried it:

The Book Doctor is In: Book Repair ASAP

When it comes to book repair, best do it as soon as you spot broken books in need of help. Get the Book Doctor's spin on how to properly fix torn pages.

ideas.demco.com

https://ideas.demco.com/blog/book-repair-series-3/

 

[Pitlamp]

Why not digitise it? Maybe that's the best way of preserving it in the long-run.

Digitising has massive value but conserving the original material is extremely important.
One example of why is because when I was deep into research for a caving project and Storm Arwen took out he power for several days I was still able to continue. There is also the issue of the feint pencil notes that might have been left on, say, inside covers - which digitisers often miss but can prove absolutely crucial to learning as much as possible from the original material. Another problem is that, over longer periods, compatibility and redundancy issues can creep in.

But . . . a very important feature of digitising is that, if a physical library ever goes up in a fire, the information isn't lost.

Please let's not start this debate again in this topic; it's been well covered before. The ultimate conclusion is that both approaches are needed. Digitise as much as possible and conserve the original material.

Please can I thank everyone for the valuable contributions above?

 

[Duncan]

Several major libraries and national archives publish guidelines on document conservation which may be of some use, for example:

https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/paper.html Library of Congress Care, Handling, and Storage of Works on Paper - which advises against using adhesive tape.

I found an interesting paper specifically concerning preservation of maps, which is paywalled although it's available for free if you know where to look and have a wardrobe full of tricorn hats and eye-patches, and a predilection for parrots and rum. The reference is:

Snow, C. (2010). Maps for the Ages: An Overview of the Preservation of Sheet Maps. Journal of Map & Geography Libraries, 6(2), 112–128. doi:10.1080/15420353.2010.492300

This source suggests 'mylar encapsulation', which consists of sandwiching the map between two sheets of mylar, the edges of which are then either taped or welded together. Unlike applying adhesive tape to the map, this method is completely reversible, and also provides protection against further damage to the document. There's also a fair bit of advice given about how to store paper maps in ways that reduce degradation over time.

I should add that I'm no expert in this - but hopefully I've suggested some lines of enquiry that may be fruitful.

 

[mikem]

Books are also slightly different as the surrounding pages provide further support/ protection of the repair than is case with maps / surveys

 

[Leclused]

This source suggests 'mylar encapsulation', which consists of sandwiching the map between two sheets of mylar, the edges of which are then either taped or welded together. Unlike applying adhesive tape to the map, this method is completely reversible, and also provides protection against further damage to the document. There's also a fair bit of advice given about how to store paper maps in ways that reduce degradation over time.

I should add that I'm no expert in this - but hopefully I've suggested some lines of enquiry that may be fruitful.

Example DIY map lamination

Example of professional lamination

 

[Pitlamp]

Pegasus was asking in another topic what we like about this forum.

Reckon this topic has developed into a shining example!

 

[Duncan]

I think that mylar encapsulation differs from lamination as demonstrated in the videos linked by Leclused in an important detail: that the mylar does not adhere to the paper, the point being that if, at some point in the future there is a reason to remove the map from the encapsulation, it can easily be done without damage to the map.

 

[Wayland Smith]

The simple basic instruction for conservation these days is that everything should be reversible.
So, any glue should be removable. without damaging the item being glued.
That would rule out a lot of things in the "Sellotape" bracket.