Conserving, Preserving, and Restoring Your Heritage. Kennis Kim

      We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for our ullishing program. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book ullishing Industry Development Program and The Association for the Export of Canadian Books, and the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Book ullishers Tax Credit program, and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

      Care has been taken to trace the ownership of copyright material used in this book. The author and the ullisher welcome any information enabling them to rectify any references or credits in subsequent editions.

       J. Kirk Howard, President

      Printed and bound in Canada.

      www.dundurn.com

      Ontario Genealogical Society

       Suite 102, 40 Orchard View Boulevard

       Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R 1B9

       tel. (416) 489-0734 fax. (416) 489-9803

      [email protected] www.ogs.on.ca

      CONTENTS

Introduction

1 The Home Environment

2 Paper, Parchment, and Vellum

3 Books

       4 Paintings and Other Framed Works of Art

       5 Still and Moving Pictures

       6 Textiles

       7 Wooden Objects

       8 Bone, Horn, and Ivory Artifacts

       9 Plastic and Rubber Artifacts

       10 Glass and Ceramic Artifacts

       11 Silver, Coins, and Medals

       12 Digital Media

      Appendices

       1 Accession List Information

       2 How to Find and Choose a Conservation Professional

       3 Using a Camera to Measure Approximate Light Levels

       4 General Rules for Handling and Moving Artifacts and Works of Art

       5 Encapsulation Process

       6 Surface Cleaning Books

       7 Angled Supports for Displaying Books

       8 Making a Book Cozy

       9 Construction of Folders and Book Boxes

       10 Matting and Framing Paper Artifacts

       11 Treating Infestations in Textiles by Freezing

       12 How to Make a Padded Hanger

       13 Boxing Medium to Large Textiles for Storage

       14 Making Padding for Ceramic and Glass Storage

       15 Some Materials for Preservation by Artifact Type

       Glossary

       Reference and Further Reading

       Suppliers

INTRODUCTION

      History surrounds us — in museums, in our communities, and in our homes. Whether objects were bought, found, or inherited, these artifacts offer glimpses into the past — a time, place, event, or person we wish to remember and share with the future.

      As custodians of pieces of our history, we are faced with how to maintain these items. Our family history may be held in documents, photographs, books, clothing, or textiles, and sometimes complete collections of items such as coins, trading cards, or stamps. We may have little knowledge of the artifacts we hold except that they meant something to someone, and now we feel an obligation or desire to preserve them for future generations. How we choose to execute our stewardship over these items takes many forms depending on their use, importance, and condition. More importantly, how we care for the items may be determined by what we know and what we can do financially without causing additional damage and deterioration. This book will guide you through some basic preservation techniques and preventative conservation practices for artifacts commonly found in family collections.

      Many new terms are introduced through the text to help give you a better understanding of preservation, conservation, and restoration of your family heirlooms. All of the terms in bold can be found in the glossary.

      There are many resources