Condition
The wooden struts were loose and had separated from the board in some areas. Several previous repairs on the back of the corner joins had all failed, causing the joins to separate. There were small losses to the paper as well as areas of lifting and delamination to the straw board, which was also warping. Some surface dirt was also present across the front of the piece.
Treatment
- Removal of loose surface dirt, followed by removalof the two wooden struts along the sides and the adhesive residues beneaththem.
- Old repairs were then removed from the cornerjoins using a poultice to soften the adhesive.
- Next, the whole front piece was humidified andflattened to reduce overall warping
- The mount board was refolded along its originalfold-lines.
- The corners were repaired and supported withmedium weight Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste.
- Areas of lifting and delamination were alsore-adhered.
- Finally, the iron-based nails were treated witha rust inhibitor and the wooden struts were put back in place.
The overall result was a piece which could now sit proudly and safely on display as an important remnant of a particular era in British social history.
Before treatment
After treatment
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