Behind the Scenes at NYPL's Conservation Lab

Summary

This video showcases the meticulous behind-the-scenes work of the New York Public Library's conservation lab, where rare maps and documents are prepared for exhibitions. Conservators like Miriam Drny examine and treat fragile items, such as an 1809 shipping document and a 1600s Dutch world map. They carefully clean, repair, and preserve these artifacts, using techniques like suction tables and specialized chemical solutions. The goal is not to restore items to perfect condition but to prevent further decay and extend their lifespan for future generations, allowing continued access to these valuable historical treasures.

Takeaways

• 😀 The New York Public Library's Barber Goldsmith Conservation Lab plays a crucial role in preparing items for exhibition by preserving valuable documents.
• 😀 Unlike museums, the library allows researchers and the public to handle rare maps and manuscripts, which can cause deterioration over time.
• 😀 Items requiring conservation undergo cleaning and repair to ensure they remain accessible for future generations.
• 😀 One of the items being conserved is a 1809 letter of safe passage signed by President James Madison, which is torn, creased, and stained.
• 😀 Another conserved item is a Dutch world map from the early 1600s, which is in better condition but still has some edge damage.
• 😀 Conservator Miriam examines the documents to understand the types of materials and extent of damage, particularly focusing on ink and paper types.
• 😀 The shipping document's stains are caused by acid, which has broken down the paper fibers in some areas, making them more absorbent.
• 😀 Conservation treatments include using a vacuum suction table and applying a specialized alkaline cleaning solution to remove dirt and discoloration from the documents.
• 😀 Care must be taken with delicate features, such as an embossed seal on the Madison letter, which could be damaged by pressure or excess water.
• 😀 Conservators aim to preserve the integrity of the original items by preventing further decay, rather than restoring them to pristine condition.
• 😀 The process also includes applying water vapor to soften and manipulate the document carefully, and repairing tears using special Japanese paper and wheat starch paste.
• 😀 The conservation lab's work helps ensure that these historical items can be displayed and appreciated by future generations while maintaining their longevity.

Q & A

What is the role of Shelley Smith in the conservation process at the New York Public Library?

Shelley Smith is the head of conservation at the New York Public Library. She oversees the preparation of historical items for exhibition, ensuring their preservation through careful conservation techniques.

How does the New York Public Library differ from a museum in displaying its collections?

Unlike a museum, the New York Public Library allows researchers and the public to handle its collections, including rare maps and manuscripts. This increases the need for conservation efforts to maintain the items' condition.

What happens to library items when their condition deteriorates?

When library items, like rare maps and manuscripts, begin to deteriorate due to age and frequent handling, they are sent to the library's Barber Goldsmith Conservation Lab for cleaning and repair.

What are the two items discussed in the conservation process, and what is their condition?

The two items discussed are a letter of safe passage signed by President James Madison in 1809 and a Dutch world map from the early 1600s. The letter is torn, creased, and stained, while the map is in relatively good condition with some tears and gaps along its edges.

How does the conservator, Miriam Drny, assess the condition of the items?

Miriam Drny examines the items by testing their paper and ink, using water to assess how it is absorbed by the paper, which helps determine the extent of damage, especially from acid degradation.

Why does Miriam apply water to the shipping document, and what does it reveal?

Miriam applies water to the shipping document to observe how the paper absorbs it. The water is absorbed quickly in stained areas but remains on the surface in cleaner areas, indicating that the fibers in the stained areas have broken down due to acid damage.

What is the role of the suction table in the conservation process?

The suction table acts like a vacuum cleaner, drawing out dirt, acid discoloration, and other particles from the paper. It uses suction to remove the contaminants into an absorbent cotton bladder beneath the document.

How does Miriam handle the fragile embossed seal on the Madison letter?

Miriam carefully uses water vapor to soften the edges around the embossed seal, allowing it to unfold without damaging the fragile seal. The embossing itself remains dry and undisturbed during this process.

What is the purpose of the paste made of wheat starch used on the Dutch map?

The wheat starch paste is used to repair tears and gaps in the Dutch map. It is applied to Japanese paper, which is then used to reinforce the damaged areas, ensuring the map’s integrity while being as inconspicuous as possible.

What is the primary goal of conservation, and how is this achieved?

The primary goal of conservation is not to restore objects to pristine condition but to prevent further decay and extend the lifespan of historical items, so future generations can enjoy and learn from them. This is achieved through a combination of scientific knowledge and artistic techniques.