| print conservation, paper conservator, paper conservation, currier and ives, print restoration, paper restoration, 01060, northampton, western mass
MICHAEL
G. SISSMAN
PAPER CONSERVATOR
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ABOUT
US:
We are a specialized paper conservation workshop. Our focus
is exclusively on prints.
We
specialize in the conservation and
restoration of 19th to mid 20th century
prints such as:
- Audubon
and McKenney & Hall including octavo
and folio sized prints.
- Currier
& Ives and similar 19th century prints.
- Fine
art prints of the 19th & 20th century, including
etchings, drypoints, lithographs, & woodblock prints.
- 20th
century Japanese woodblock prints, including
Hiroshi Yoshida, Hasui, and Koson.
To see examples of our work, please click
here.
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Treatment
procedures:
The basic treatments that we employ are listed below, although,
in some cases, other procedures may be necessary.
- Photodocumentation
before, during and after treatment.
- Tape, mold, and
accretions are removed or treated.
- The surface of
the print is dry cleaned using eraser crumbs.
- Old repairs and
acidic backing boards are removed.
- The print is
given a bath in neutral filtered water, and then alkalized
water, to deacidify the print and to reduce staining and other
degradation. A suction table is employed when appropriate.
- If the print
requires further stain reduction such as bleaching, our preference
is to use aqueous light bleaching, either by using artificial
light banks or natural daylight. This method is especially
effective for Audubon prints and 20th century Japanese woodblock
prints. Of all the bleaching processes, aqueous light bleaching
is the least harmful to paper and does not over-whiten the
print. In instances where aqueous light bleaching is not effective
or is inappropriate, we will use chemical bleaches under controlled
conditions consistent with current practice. We are always
careful to avoid over-bleaching, with an eye to leaving the
print as natural as possible.
- A thorough washing
brings the print to a neutral pH. The print is air dried,
then humidified and placed between blotters to return it to
plane.
- Certain prints
are given an alkaline reserve and, if needed, resized.
- Japanese paper
and wheat starch paste are used to mend tears. Fibers can
be delicately woven into a tear to make it essentially invisible.
- If lining is required,
a backing of Japanese paper is applied with wheat starch paste.
- Color compensation
and the reapplication of Gum Arabic, when needed, is done
by our highly skilled artist.
Examination and documentation:
An accurate treatment proposal and price quotation can be
given only after personal examination and testing of the print.
However, we would be happy to give you a rough verbal estimate.
After completion, you will be given a treatment report describing
the methods and materials used in the restoration or conservation
of your print. Please call us at 413.586.3658
to discuss your prints, or email us at michael@printconservation.com.
Turn around time:
Please allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks for completion of
your print.
Shipping your prints to us:
All shipping costs are the responsibility of the client. If
you need help with packaging, you may wish to use the services
of a local shipping center, such as The UPS Store. For a small
fee, we can send you a cardboard package with a prepared shipping
label.
Payment:
Upon completion, payment for our services may be made by check,
cash, or credit card via PayPal. If special materials or other
circumstances warrant, we may ask for a deposit.
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