Frequently asked questions.
What Is Acid-Free and Why Does It Matter?
All paper products degrade slowly and acetic acid is formed which can act as a catalyst to decay and acid may migrate to the contents of the storage medium, damaging them.
If an acidic product comes into contact with paper, photos, textiles or other similar items, the acid can cause permanent damage. This is why it is very important to use good quality acid free and archival materials for the protection of your treasured memories.
Storage in archival products will slow the aging process and add years of life to the items you value. It is better to prevent damage and deterioration, than try to repair or correct it.
If you do not use true acid free materials, you will find that your artifacts, papers and photos may dis-colour or disintegrate more quickly than they would naturally.
For the storage of photo’s you additionally need to check that the materials you use are photo-safe or have passed the Photographic Activity Test, or PAT, (ISO Standard 18916) What does Archival Quality mean?Strictly speaking the term 'archival quality' refers to high quality papers and boards with specific chemical and physical properties designed to ensure the material remains stable for long periods. Unfortunately, there is no legal definition of the term; therefore relying on this description alone isn't enough since any manufacturer can describe a product as being of archival quality. (National Archives)
The Timecare Collection products are made from the highest quality, inert and purest materials possible and have been designed and developed with conservation principles in mind.
What is a pH Factor?
This refers to the acidity of a paper. The pH scale is the standard for measurement of acidity and alkalinity. It runs from 1 to 14 with each number representing a ten-fold increase; less than 4 is very acidic, pH neutral is 7. more than 10 is very alkaline. Acid-free products have a pH factor of 7 or above. What does Photo Safe mean and
What is a PAT test?
Photo safe is a term similar to archival quality – again no legal definition
The PAT is the globally recognized, standardised test for determining the archival quality of photo-storage products test predicts potentially harmful interactions between photo-storage products and the photos they are meant to protect. The PAT is used to test the components of storage enclosures, such as adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tapes.
Why Does Paper Deteriorate?
Until the mid 19th century, most papers were made of cotton rags or cloth stock. Around 1860 the paper mills started using ground wood with acids, bleach, and alum-rosin sizing resulting in papers with a high acid content (low pH). These papers react with water and the atmosphere to produce self-destructive acidic compounds. These acids act on the paper and shorten the fibres, causing them to become brittle, dis-coloured and eventually crumble into dust. (S.WELCH)
What can I do to prevent my valuables be damaged ?
You need to store your items in a safe environment (See Conservation Guidelines) but equally important you need to keep your artifacts in a genuine acid free box, envelope or folder like the Timecare Collection.. If you are in any doubt about how to care for and store an item, please consult a professional conservator for specific advice.
How much is it worth?
We can’t tell you! It is usually curators who provide provenance for a piece (documentation that an object is what it appears to be, where it came from and when it was made). However, conservators can (and often do) provide information that may help to authenticate or date an object through material evidence, such as manufacture and tool markings.
Is central heating bad for antiques?
Central heating can frequently cause the atmosphere to 'dry out'. Whilst in a damp building this may not be such a bad thing, in a normal building when heat 'dries out' the atmosphere it can cause the relative humidity to drop, sometimes as low as 20 - 30%. When the relative humidity is this low for a length of time, not only is it not very good for human beings, it can also cause serious damage to certain types of objects - organic materials such as wood and textiles can become brittle or shrink and develop cracks or splits. Natural glues holding objects together can also dry out. When these types of damage happen it can sometimes lead to an object breaking or falling apart completely. There are some objects however, such as metalwork that actually fair better in a lower humidity than a higher one.
Why do Museums not use spotlights to show off the objects? Why do you not open the curtains when it's nice and sunny outside?
Many items in museum collections are made of materials that can be badly affected by both natural and artificial light; photographs, watercolours and documents can fade, textiles and feathers can also fade and become brittle, (how many curtains have you seen where the edges that catch the sunlight have faded or begun to shred?) and wood too can change in colour becoming either lighter or darker depending upon the type of wood. Sadly when this type of damage occurs it can often be impossible to repair without significant cost and alteration to the original construction and finish of an object. Also, even for items that may be insensitive to high light levels, the heat generated by high levels of both natural and artificial light can have a negative effect upon the relative humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the object. If this happens then it can lead to further types of environmental damage to collections.
Why do Museums have so many things in cases?
We display our objects in cases for a number of reasons. It may be because the environmental conditions of the gallery space, (eg relative humidity, temperature, light, dust or pollution levels) are not suitable for the type of material the object is constructed from or the object may be particularly sensitive to frequent fluctuations in environmental conditions, which the case is designed to buffer against. Alternatively the object may be cased because frequent dusting could cause it to become damaged, or it may simply be that it is a very valuable object that requires the increased security a case can provide. Whatever the reason, the use of a case frequently allows an object to be imaginatively displayed and lit, and it also of course allows visitors to get very close to objects.
Do I have silverfish because I'm not very good at housekeeping?
No - having silverfish is frequently an indication of high humidity, damp or water leakage, which is why they are commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
Example of a beetle |
How do I know I have carpet beetles and can I get rid of them?
If you live in an old house with floorboards and fireplaces/chimneys the chances are you will have carpet beetle, and they will be fairly impossible to get rid of. If do you have carpet beetle then you tend to see the adults on windowsills in the spring/summer months.
Do carpet beetles only eat carpets?
No they will eat anything with keratin in it, eg feathers, furs, flies, dead mice and at times just plain old household dust, (because of the dead skin found in the dust!).
Example of a beetle |
Why is the death watch beetle called the death watch beetle?
It got its name because in the days when people used to sit at the bedside of the dying in their homes, everything used to be quiet and it was at then that the beetles could apparently be heard 'knocking' in the timbers of old houses.
How do I know if the woodworm I have in a piece of furniture are new or old?
If the infestation is new or the holes are fresh then there will probably be small piles of very fine 'sawdust' near to the holes. Also, if you run your finger over the hole you will be able to feel a 'burr' around the edge of the hole where the beetle has exited. Plus, if you look at the hole, the wood inside the hole will have a paler/fresh appearance whereas the old holes tend to be darker.What are the brown spots on my print/book?
These spots are usually referred to as foxing. This description was given to the phenomenon in the 18th century, as the colour of the spots was said to resemble the colour of a fox's brush. They are a type of mould, often caused by metallic impurities in the sheet due to manufacturing. Foxing is an indication that the paper is acidiy. It causes further acidity itself, which causes foxing to develop further.
Edward Lear's 'Plain of Tzeitine' which displays brown spots known as 'foxing' |
Can I get rid of them?
Yes. Foxing can be substantially reduced on prints, drawings and watercolours as well as books. This needs to be undertaken by a professional paper conservator.
Has my watercolour faded?
Watercolours can fade. Often the loss of colours, especially mixes of colours, can change the appearance of the composition. Often this has changed so slowly you would not necessarily notice unless some of the original colour remained beneath the mount. Some colours are more susceptible to fading than others; indigo blue for example is notorious for fading. Often the brighter the hue the more prone to fading. Earth colours such as ochres are more stable.
'Woodland Fells' by DA Williamson. The trees appear blue due to the loss (fading) of yellow tones from the green. |
How can I stop my watercolour from fading?
Keep the framed work out of direct light, preferably in an unlit hallway or if placed in a room, one with a north facing window. The most damaging part of the light is the high-energy blue end of the spectrum. This can be reduced with UV glass in the frame. Regularly changing your display may be a possibility, thereby reducing the overall light exposure on the object.
Where's the best place to hang a picture?
See above. Also avoid placing the work above a fire or radiator.
What should I do with my books?
Store vertically on a suitable study bookshelf. They should stand without leaning and not be packed so tight they are difficult to remove. Always pull the book out holding either side from the centre of the spine, and not from the top - that could split the spine. Regularly dust the tops of your books with a soft brush. Open your windows regularly to air the books.
How do I store my precious family photographs?
Many general photographic dealers stock acid free albums. Your photographs should be held in place with photographic corners.
Is there an archival tape I can buy to repair my torn paper objects?
There is no self-adhesive tape currently available which is archival. Avoid all self-adhesive tapes as these will often fail or stain, and the adhesive becomes difficult to remove later. Old-fashioned brown-gummed paper is a more viable alternative as this remains reversible over a long period of time. If in doubt, or the work is of value to you, consult a paper conservator.
How do I store my family papers/archives?
All papers should be stored in acid free enclosures, either paper or card, or Melinex (a clear polyester film). Avoid any material that you do not know the origin of. Paper suffers from acid transfer, (one material in direct contact with another), and the poorer quality or acidic material will cause the object to become acidic discoloured or stained.
Where can I buy archival quality materials?
Most reputable art shops and framers will have archival boards and papers that can be purchased. There are specialist dealers who stock a wide range of archival and storage solutions, although they tend to supply only in bulk. A limited supply of these can be purchased from the museum shop.
I’d like to hang an old family sampler on the wall. What should I do?
If the sampler looks clean and intact and the frame is sound, with its backboard well attached, go ahead. Choose somewhere where it will not get too much light. A corridor or the window wall is ideal. Tungsten lights are less harmful than daylight or fluorescent light. If the sampler is not already framed it will probably need mounting. The traditional method, of nailing it to a stretcher, causes holes and rust marks. Self adhesive tape will stain it. The best method is to cover acid free card with a neutral cloth, like washed linen or cotton, and then sew the sampler to the cloth. That way the backing cloth takes any strain, and the sampler is not in contact with anything acid. Have it framed so that there is a slight space between the sampler and the glass, if possible. Even if your sampler is ragged and stained it may be possible to do something with it - book an opinion service appointment with a textiles conservator.
Sampler after conservation
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What is the best way to store a christening robe or a wedding dress?
Acid free boxes lined with acid free tissue. Use tissue to pad out all the folds to avoid sharp creases. Make sure the christening robe or dress is clean before it is put away. White wine stains on wedding dresses may be invisible at first, but turn yellow with time. For further details on how best to look after your object, book an opinion service appointment with a textiles conservator.
Any other recommended storage for textiles?
Acid free boxes lined with acid free tissue are usually recommended. On some occasions Melinex envelopes may be a better option for small flat textiles. Big flat textiles, eg hangings and rugs, are often rolled round a wide diameter cardboard tube with tissue, always right side out. If you don’t want to buy materials, a decent sized box lined with a washed sheet is a possibility. For further details on how best to look after your object, book an opinion service appointment with a textiles conservator.
Can I mend the tear in my sampler or period dress?
There is no reason why a careful needlewoman/needleman shouldn't attempt some repairs, and mounting for framing. For further help and information on how to best repair your object, book an appointment with a textiles conservator.
Should I wash my sampler, robe or wedding dress?
Some items can be hand washed by owners, but some definitely can't. For further help and information on your object, book an opinion service appointment with a textiles conservator
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Washing a dress with washing solution |
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