DID YOU KNOW:
-when cockroaches eat through paper, they chomp right through; when silverfish eat through paper, they graze and slowly take away layers of pulp.
-audio on original lacquer discs:digital reformatting::sine waves:lots of individual points… kind of like pixels vs. vectors
-lots of ethnographic research has been recorded on WAX CYLINDERS
-nitrate negatives and acetate discs are autocatalytic and as they begin to self destruct, they keep destroying themselves in their own storage chambers!
nerd nerd nerd nerd nerd nerd nerd
I am at a preservation institute this week at the Library of Congress, and so far we have seen the Library’s specially-environmentally-monitored HVAC system, gone into the basement of the collections, saw the very original shelving that is built into the building’s supports and the low marble ceilings above the basement collections that glow translucent from the public atrium. We also got to meet with one of the main conservators who was in charge of encasing the Waldseemuller map… I could spend paragraphs nerding out over it, but basically, this map from 1507 (!) in a gigantic single sheet aluminum case filled with argon, covered with UV and hurricane-proof glass, all attached to this mechanism that allows the whole thing to stay in place while it goes from upright to tabletop, and all of this is inside a stainless steel case which is then inside a gigantic wooden case with 8 locks. we got to see that business from the inside!!!
Also got to see their crazy-pants automated box maker which makes everything from b/e-flute 4-flap enclosures to custom drop-side clam shells with special notches and stuff. Jefferson’s library. The Gutenberg Bible is not nearly as big as I thought it’d be. I’m a big fat nerd. there are still 3 more days!
Swamped this week and trying to be outside as much as possible, before the heat and thick humidity come… here are some assorted pictures (sorry to lack text-substance today, and apparently complete sentences… just busy busy busy)
Continue reading ‘Assorted photos these days’
In the interest of padding my portfolio and just showing cool stuff, I’m going to make a point of sharing more conservation goodies here as time permits.
I recently got a big acquisition of about 80 volumes for processing and repair at work. While some of the repairs will be pretty mundane quick-fixes, others are good repair exercises and at the very least, good photo-ops.
Today’s adventure: basic surface paper-cleaning.
Continue reading ‘Publisher’s copies’