Paper Restauration/conservation

[marcotk]

Dear Everyone,

I lately found a Spain Campaign Certificate awareded to an Italian soldier and I really would like to frame it since it is wonderfully paired with 4 medals awarded to the same soldier.

Now, the certificate is covered by dust and dirtiness. How can i clean it without ruining it? and how should I safely keep it? any advice in cleaning, framing, conservation are exteremely welcome!!

Thank you very much for your help!!

My best regards,
Marco DM

[Stahlhelm]

I have no idea how to clean the paper. That sounds like a job for a professional. However, since I also collect photographs, I can give you my ideas on preserving paper items in a frame. First, just make sure you are using archival, acid-free mat board as backing in the frame. Also, if you happen to use mounting corners to position and secure the piece in the frame (which are convenient), just make sure they are archival as well. Don't use the photo corners made of acetate. They will cause you problems down the road. Obviously, it would also be necessary to use a glass with a good UV filter to counter all the fading effects of sunlight. Any frame shop or online archival supply store should have all that stuff, and it's all well worth the money.

Good luck, and I hope my advice helps you...

[marcotk]

That's exactely the info I was hoping to get! Thank you Stahlhelm!!

Any info on the cleaning?

Moreover I'd like to ask to all of you an advice: to the diploma there are 4 medals sewed. I feel I shoudl leave them there due to the value of the piece as it is, but how can I preserve them? especially If I plan to frame the whole thing and hence having then standing vertically? I say this due to the fact that the ribbons are disintagrating... Moreover are they going to contribute to the ruining of the paper diploma?


Thank to everybody for the help

[Stahlhelm]

You are very welcome marcotk,

I'm glad I could be of help. If I can locate any info about how to clean that paper, I'll be sure to let you know that too.

Yes, I agree that you should leave the medals sewn to the diploma, as that's the way they were put together originally. I must admit that I am not sure how to keep the ribbons from possibly reacting with the paper (or, if they actually will). The only thing I can think of is to possibly put a small piece of some type of clear archival material just between the ribbons and the paper. But, there would need to be enough pressure between the ribbons and the paper to just hold it there (as I cannot see how you could archivally affix anthing to the diploma itself for that purpose). I am also not sure what to do to keep the ribbons from disintegrating further. Maybe some other people will even jump in and add a few ideas. However again, I will let you know if I do think of anything else. Again, I hope I've been at least a little helpful helping you think about it.

Good luck...