Submitted by: Sarah Why is this item important to you?: Reese Blizzard was my great-grandfather. How would I verify that this signature of Theodore Roosevelt is original or a copy? Expert Advice (provided by Todd Pattison): It is hard to tell from the images, but this work might be on parchment instead of paper. Parchment was still widely used at this time for official documents, so it is quite possible. Parchment is an animal skin and so has different properties from paper but many of the preservation issues are the same. The document is housed in a wooden frame with glass. It consists of both printed and manuscript information. The support has yellowed so if it is paper this is probably a sign of some deterioration while parchment often has a yellowish color. Some of the manuscript inks used have faded or discolored. Recommendations: The object appears to have suffered from light damage, which is not unusual for an older framed object. There is not much that can be done about the ink damage as ink fading is permanent. You should get a high-quality image of the piece and make copies as needed. If you want to display the piece in the frame you should replace the current glass with a UV filtering glazing (either glass or Plexiglass) to prevent any future light damage and hang the piece or store it in an area with lower light levels. If it is re-framed a spacer should be included to keep the paper/parchment away from the glazing and then be sure to have acid-free materials used behind the item in the frame. If it is removed from the frame it would be easier to tell if it is paper or parchment. If this is parchment, there will be some extra consideration around framing. Parchment is very hydroscopic and tends to distort or shrink with changes in humidity. Parchment needs to be restrained in some way to prevent planar distortion so even if it is removed from the frame it will need a special enclosure. Storage and Handling: If it is found to be parchment you might want to consult with a conservator with experience in parchment to help devise the frame package or enclosure. There is a Find a Conservator page on the AIC website that allows you to search for a conservator by specialty and location. If it is parchment and you decide to store this out of the frame you will need a pressure enclosure to keep it flat. Good environmental storage conditions, especially stable temperature and humidity are important for this item but are particularly important if it is parchment. Removal from the frame should be done by a professional as the paper is fragile. Handling of the document should be limited; be sure to wash hands with soap and water before handling but gloves are not necessary.
Submitted by: Cybele Why is this item important to you?: This was found in my maternal great grandmother's belongings and my mother and I would eventually like to find out how these women are related to us and if there was any family tie to the German town it was taken in. Expert Advice (provided by Chloe Jones): The photograph seems to be an albumen print mounted on cardboard – often called a “cabinet card.” This style was popular between about 1870 and 1910, as it was a cheaper and faster way to create a higher volume of prints. As you can see, the print is cracking and has several tears. We recommend that the print, as well as any others that you may have from this time period, be digitized to at least 400 dpi resolution to preserve the images, in the event that the originals are further damaged. By backing-up high-resolution files, you will be able to preserve the content of the photographs for yourself and future generations. There are many regional organizations across the United States that may assist you in professionally digitizing these prints, depending on where you are located. For handling these materials, it is important to always wash your hands before touching archival material, to avoid transmitting oils or dirt to the photographs. We recommend that you do not wear gloves, as a weak grip can cause damage to fragile materials. Always handle the material on a dry, clean and flat surface. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight while handling your materials. Regarding storage and preservation of the photographic prints, we recommend that you invest in polyester (mylar) protective sheets. These are acid-free, and do not require you to slide, push, or pull the fragile photographs into a sleeve. The mylar is folded into a tight crease, and can be opened like a folder. Mylar can also be cut to size, so you would not have to worry about a “one size fits all” type of sleeve from Staples. This would work well for preserving other various-sized photos you may have as well. Additionally, we recommend that the protected photographs be stored in archival boxes, which are also acid-free, unlike a shoebox. Places to purchase these supplies include Gaylord Archival Supply, Hollinger Metal Edge, or University Products. It is also important to note that the best way to protect storage items is to keep them in a safe place. It is not recommended that archival materials be kept in basements or attics, as these locations may be prone to environmental hazards, such as flooding, mold, or unstable humidity.
