Conserving ancient maps may be an elaborate and difficult process, what more
conserving antique and rare maps? When conserving antique maps, and most
especially rare maps, you must take into account old technologies that have been
applied in the making of these old maps, since modern conservation techniques
just don't work, and may even harm and damage the map. So, extra caution and
care should be employed, as well as a good working knowledge on how to care for
antique and rare maps.
When conserving maps, there is the passive and active methods of map
conservation. Passive pertains to the more preventive methods in preserving the
map, or ensuring that the manner in which the map will be stored and its
surrounding atmosphere will keep the freshness of the map and prevent any
damages. Storing the map in acid-free boxes and drawers or framing the map under
glass with an ultraviolet light filtering glaze are examples of passive
conservation. Active conservation means we apply processes to the map to
preserve it, whether physical or chemical. These processes include cleaning and
lamination, among others.
In active map conservation, especially when conserving ancient maps, a great
deal of consideration must be placed on the materials which the map is made of.
In ancient times, paper was made with a material called cellulose, which is
affected in many different ways by acids found in the aluminum sulphate used to
make the paper, and from the air in certain polluted cities. The degradation of
cellulose in old maps may shrink the map or weaken its fibers. The inks used in
old maps are also sensitive to light and are prone to fading. Many conservers
will caution against cleaning the actual printed area yourself, and is best left
to a professional map restorer.
If the map has tears in the paper, such as along folded areas, a special kind of
archival tape must be used to repair the map. Some may assume that simple Scotch
tape will do the trick, but we all know that the adhesive on the transparent
tape will discolor the paper, usually into a shade of yellow, and this
discoloration is often permanent.
Furthermore, whether you will conserve your rare and ancient map actively or
passively, you must be careful about simple handling of the map. For instance,
always wash your hands before touching a map, even if you believe your hands to
be clean. Oil and salt from perspiring, no matter how minute, can transfer to
the map and break down fibres and damage your map. Even if you will wear cotton
gloves to handle your map, you should wash your hands anyway, to prevent any
transfer of oil and salt from the gloves to the map's surface.
Should you display your maps? There are those called "working maps," which are
hung on walls and displayed for different persons to refer to during the course
of their work. Most rare and antique maps usually have no practical use in this
day and age, and will most likely be displayed for posterity's sake. If this is
the case, make sure that the wall on which it hangs has no exposure to direct
sunlight or fluorescent light.
Rare and ancient maps are quite valuable, and the proper storage of these maps
serves to retain its value. For major repairs, it is best to see a professional
map restorer. Repairing a valuable map by yourself will not yield much savings
for you when your map, and its value, has degraded as a result.
You must log in to post a comment.