Preservation
As previously stated, the finished 14,400 drawings were miraculously free of damage and their conservation needs were stabilization and housing. Because storage space is at such a premium at the Library, a housing solution that would provide proper support for the individual drawings while minimizing expansion was desired. The Conservation Team designed individual folders made of 2-ply mat board covered with a translucent paper. 25 drawings would be housed in a custom sized clam-shell box. The folders were designed to provide the support necessary for the drawings since flexing of the paper resulted in loss to the brittle opaque white material. The translucent paper covering the drawings would provide a smooth surface next to the friable graphite and prevent smearing while allowing for easy viewing of the cartoon. All materials proposed for storage were tested for quality by the Preservation Research and Testing Division. A few drawings would require more extensive treatment such as pressure sensitive tape removal, backing removal, consolidation and white lead conversion prior to their housing.
Left: Lida Husik with housing. Right: Kaare Chaffe performing consolidation.
The collection of roughs presented another level of conservation challenges. Their condition and inherent poor quality would require an enormous investment of resources in order to allow for access. It was decided to provide the basic level of stabilizing treatment and housing until such time as the resources are available to digitize the collection.
Photographs before and after treatment of cartoon.
