Conservation Stewardship — Vanessa Hutchins

Object Enclosures

Along with proper environmental conditions, enclosures are a basic and essential part of preventative conservation for library and archival materials. There are cost-efficient and sustainable ways to build enclosures that protect against agents of deterioration, particularly dust, light, insects, and physical stress. You will see two examples of enclosures I have built in the image carousel below: one for photographic prints, and another for a toy rocking horse.

I made a four-flap phase box to house the prints, which include the cyanotypes pictured above as well as salted paper and gum prints. With an understanding of materials and standards like the Photographic Activity Test (PAT, ISO 18916), I constructed the box out of a 20pt lig-free board and sleeved the cyanotypes in unbuffered paper. Knowing the resources available to me, I followed a well-suited and standard design for the enclosure.

The miniature rocking horse needed a more customized enclosure. I received the toy in two separate parts, as the rocker had broken off from the horse. I designed a front-drop box that allows ample space for a handler to grip the horse at the center while avoiding contact with its hair. In the interior, arched Volara foam provides a resist at the horse’s underbelly to support its weight. I secured the rocker to the ethafoam base with stainless steel pins. This overall design succeeds at holding the object in place with minimal contact to other materials.

Photographic Process Identification

In addition to gaining insight into the context of their creation, the identification of photographic processes let archivists determine how to store and handle analog photos. Through coursework focused on photograph collections, I have developed an identification methodology based on photo characteristics such as mounting, grain, layer structure, magnetism, tone, sheen, and light interference. My insight into the physical nature of photographs also stems from hands-on experience with print out processes. The photos featured here, depicting an armadillo, are examples of cyanotype, salted paper, and gum bichromate prints I made from a photographic negative.

Paper Documents

Description, Condition, Testing, and Treatment

Paper conservation involves skills that are relevant to information science beyond the preservation of materials. The images below provide examples of my experience with problem-solving, applying research skills in context, and suggesting treatment objectives based on evidence and practical concerns. This practice has fostered my attention to detail and historical knowledge of material production, which I have often applied to create robust descriptive metadata for archival objects.

[1 of 5] This seventeenth century map is a lithograph that was hand-colored with watercolor at the political borders. Using ultraviolet light, I identified areas with verdigris pigment by observing a lack of fluorescence. Verdigris is highly acidic — [1 of 5] This seventeenth century map is a lithograph that was hand-colored with watercolor at the political borders. Using ultraviolet light, I identified areas with verdigris pigment by observing a lack of fluorescence. Verdigris is highly acidic and can discolor to brown tones as well as chemically degrade the primary support. I also have experience with solubility and particulate testing for dyes and pigments.

[2 of 5] I have practiced identifying lithography, relief, and intaglio prints by recognizing evidence such as retroussage, plate impressions, ink squash, and the way that ink sits on paper. By examining signs of damage and deterioration, I also unde — [2 of 5] I have practiced identifying lithography, relief, and intaglio prints by recognizing evidence such as retroussage, plate impressions, ink squash, and the way that ink sits on paper. By examining signs of damage and deterioration, I also understand how to consider an object’s condition in the context of its life cycle. For example, under magnification, missing ink on this print reveals abrasion rather than mistakes on the print matrix or primary printmaking process.

[3 of 5] Considering how resources and missions vary for different institutions, it is important to set realistic goals and priorities for collection care. My experience includes writing treatment reports that propose appropriate, basic techniques s — [3 of 5] Considering how resources and missions vary for different institutions, it is important to set realistic goals and priorities for collection care. My experience includes writing treatment reports that propose appropriate, basic techniques such as dry cleaning, washing, and fiber mending. I also value resourceful and practical solutions, such as flattening paper with a homespun humidification chamber, as captured in the pictured notes.

[4 of 5] The identification of materials is key to description and determining proper treatment techniques. This image is an example of how I have used polarized microscopy for fiber analysis, in this case identifying linen from a handmaid laid pape — [4 of 5] The identification of materials is key to description and determining proper treatment techniques. This image is an example of how I have used polarized microscopy for fiber analysis, in this case identifying linen from a handmaid laid paper.

[5 of 5] Conservation involves an understanding of materials, with insight into the time period during which they were used and their research value. For example, this image reveals the impressions of laid wires and watermarks that allowed conservat — [5 of 5] Conservation involves an understanding of materials, with insight into the time period during which they were used and their research value. For example, this image reveals the impressions of laid wires and watermarks that allowed conservators to identify paper quality as well as to when and where the document came from. Click through the image to view an online exhibit that features this document, for which I wrote educational content about the production of paper.

Database Management

Digital Archives: Data Migration