Lewis L. Simpson and Maria D. Simpson Civil War papers

The following conservation and preservation activities have been completed on this collection:

Lewis Simpson discharge papers NEDCC Treatment Report: Surface soil was reduced using dry cleaning techniques as necessary. The solubility of the inks and adhesives was fully tested. After confirming that the media would permit aqueous treatment, the object was humidified and washed in a filtered water bath to clean the paper and reduce staining, discoloration, and acidity. Alkalized water was used to reduce staining as it did not affect the media. The glassine tapes were removed during the washing process. Tears and breaks were mended and creases were reinforced with Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. The object was lined for additional overall support with a thin Japanese paper and wheat starch paste and methyl cellulose. The object was humidified and flattened between blotters under moderate pressure. The treated object was attached to a 100% cotton rag primary backing board with Japanese paper hinges adhered with wheat starch paste. A spacer made of 100% cotton rag board was cut and fitted into the original frame. The piece was fitted with new UV filtering acrylic glazing. The piece was fitted with a new secondary backing of archival board. The inside and outside of the original frame was cleaned. The gold interior fillet was removed from the frame to accommodate the expanded size of the treated object. The mounted and matted piece was fitted into the existing client frame. The back of the frame was finished with an archival dust cover and a new hanging wire.

Lewis Simpson certificate NEDCC Treatment Report: Surface mold was reduced with a HEPA vacuum. Areas of embedded mold were treated locally with ethanol or isopropanol as needed. Surface soil was reduct:d using dry cleaning techniques as necessary. The solubility of the inks was fully tested. After confirming that the media would permit aqueous treatment, the object was humidified and washed in a filtered water bath to clean the paper and reduce staining, discoloration, and acidity. Alkalized water was used to reduce staining. Staining was reduced and the paper tone was evened by controlled exposure to artificial light. Staining was reduced, but not eliminated completely. Areas of skinning were reinforced and losses were filled with toned Japanese paper and wheat starch paste as necessary. The object was humidified and flattened between blotters under moderate pressure. After treatment the object was attached to a 100% cotton rag primary backing board with Japanese paper hinges adhered with wheat starch paste. A window mat with standard outside dimensions, in a color sympathetic to the object and made of 100% cotton rag board was cut and hinged to the primary backing board with linen tape. A protective melenex cover sheet was placed inside the mat. The matted object was housed in an archival folder.

Lewis Simpson crayon enlargement NEDCC Treatment Report: Surface soil was reduced using dry cleaning techniques as possible. Brittle edges were consolidated with 5% methyl cellulose for stabilization. Small losses were inpainted using Gamblin Conservation Colors. The object was attached to a 100% cotton rag primary backing board with Japanese paper hinges/ photo comers of MicroChamber paper and Filmoplast P90 archival tape. An oval shaped spacer mat made of 100% cotton rag board was cut. The piece was fitted with a new secondary backing of archival corrugated board. The inside and outside of the original frame and convex glass were cleaned. Large areas of loss or damage to the finish of the frame were toned. The mounted and matted piece was fitted into the existing client frame. The back of the frame was finished with an archival dust cover and hanging hardware.

Maria Simpson certificate NEDCC Treatment Report: Surface soil was reduced using dry cleaning techniques as necessary. The object was humidified and flattened between blotters with a void cut in the seal location to prevent crushing under moderate pressure. The object was attached to a 100% cotton rag primary backing board with photo comers of microchamber and Filmoplast p90 tape. A spacer made of 100% cotton rag board was cut and fitted into the original frame. The piece was fitted with new UV filtering acrylic glazing. The piece was fitted with a new secondary backing of archival board. The inside and outside of the original frame were lightly cleaned. Large areas of loss or damage to the finish of the frame were toned. The mounted and matted piece was fitted into the existing client frame. The back of the frame was finished with an archival dust cover and hanging hardware.