Putting document under glass...safely

[J. Adam]

I was wanting to frame a few of my Imperial German documents and I was wondering if there was any special percautions that should be taken in order to prevent them from becomming damaged over time. Thanks

[Hank C.]

Just an idea: Make scanned copies and put the originals in paper safe containers/sleeves. Less opportunity for something to go wrong.

Chances are only you will know the difference...

Hank

[Scott C.]

Could the intense bright light of the scanner/copier cause damage the original document?

Scott

[Marc Garlasco]

Far less than daily exposure to the radiation of natural light.

[J. Adam]

photo copying is a great Idea. However many of my imperial documents have the very attractive embossings on them and I don't think that a copy will do it justice.

[Brad Haner]

If your doing it yourself or with a pro framer,there are a couple of things to remember.First and most important is that the matting must be acid free museum grade...I also spend the extra bucks for sun/light retardant glass.There should be "breathing space" between the glass and the document.Just a few tips.If you use a pro framer,be sure that he/she understands not to iron the document to make it "seat" better.....I learned this lesson the hard way.

[Calvin Hall]

I would never frame an original document underglass. Just too many things that can go wrong.

Here is a recent display that I put together. All are scans or photos of the originals. The originals are put away for safe keeping! Away from the suns and the kids!

Calvin

[Brad Haner]

Calvin,

I hope that this turns into a educational discussion that benifits us all.....however,I disagree with no glass.First and foremost,if the air quality in the area and house one lives in isn't pristine,then what do you do to protect your documents from the various gases and elements that are in the air?Humidity,is another factor as well.Naturally you do not want the document and glass in contact with each other.Additionally you want to buy glass of quality.
I live in a high humidty area that has a number of industrial plants surrounding us,the air quality is better than average for humans to breathe.Yet its what we don't see that does damage a good deal of the time.Frankly it worries me to no end if I do not enclose my documents.But I do understand that paper(like textiles) need to "breathe" from time to time....Thats why I said in my previous post to leave some "breathing space".

That being said I am curious why you won't put your documents under galss?

[Jeff Nichols]

Interesting stuff on this subject,however. I have had many documents framed with the glass on it for years and I never encountered any problems whatsoever. I will say I never had them in direct intense light or sunlight...Cheers...Jeff

[W.Unland]

Hello,

The paper should not contact the glass to avoid condensation of moisture into the paper. If UV protective glass is used, and an acid free mat, I don't see any problem with framing original documents or photographs. Obviously, direct, or even indirect exposure to sunlight or bright artificial light is to be avoided as it will eventually cause fading and color shift, but if care is used display can be done safely. I have numerous very old woodblock prints and such so displayed and have detected no appreciable damage over many years.

I am a believer that these items need to be seen to be enjoyed. I can't quite get into the "lock it in a safe and look at photos" mode. If that was satisfying I would just buy reference books and look at the pictures. I am a collector, not a conservator. That may be selfish, but I don't really care if future generations like this stuff or not. I like it, and I paid for it, so I will enjoy looking at it.

Regards,
Bill Unland

[Jeff Nichols]

Bill I concurr, well said! Cheers...Jeff

[J. Adam]

Thanks for all the great input.