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De-acidifying an old map

S

Sue Flynn

Well-known member
Messages
66
Loc
Ironwood, MI
Company
Cherry Ridge Picture Framing, LLC
I had a customer bring in 2 original maps from the late 1800's. He asked about getting them de-acidified (Is that even a word lol) to prevent foxing.
Is that something that can be done?

Currently they are on foam core and shrink wrapped. He is planning on donating them to the local museum.

Thanks for your input.
 
Most conservators can do it. But not something to take on in the frame shop. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. Hire an expert. Most will give you a quote before doing the work.
 
I handle a lot of maps in this age range, they are fairly common. If they are not foxing right now I would not worry about it, the treatment would probably cost close to what the maps are worth. If they are going into a museum they (assumption) will be stored in the proper environment.

Besides that de acidifying is a completely separate treatment unrelated to foxing, foxing is mold growth in the paper. The best thing for your client to do is to have them matted with acid free mat board and stored in a acid free box, then stored some place dry and with stable temps.
 
Kai - they are not permanently adhered to the foam core.

Thanks for the responses. I will pass them onto the customer. They are being donated to a local historical society.
 
If the maps are valuable to the community, and especially if they are fragile, it would be better to frame high-quality digital reproductions and keep the originals in safe storage.

If the maps are large, framing easily-replaceable reproductions would eliminate the need for preservation framing provisions, which might offset the cost of scanning/photographing, printing, and artificial aging.

Another benefit of framing reproductions is that the digital file could be used to reproduce the maps in any size, any quantity, any time.
 
Jim I like your thought of scanning for them to be reproduced in different sizes. The Historical Society could offer them for sale to interested parties and make a little money!

Our local University does this at the Museum and Library for certain photos they have in their collection.
 
Thank you for all the suggestions!

I love the idea too of reproducing them to have for sale at the historical society. A great way to make some extra money.

I'll be emailing the customer with the ideas you gave. I told him I would check with my colleagues to see what the best way
to handle his request would be. I had no intention of doing anything with them myself.

Thanks again for the expert advice!
 
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