preserving Leather Bound Documents

[ChrisJ]

I'd like to ask how other members preserve leather bound documents (for example mappes for RK's)...I have several, and store them flat in airtight boxes with silica gel sachets.

I guess too dry is an bad as too humid....so its a matter of striking the correct balance.

Any thoughts/comments appreciated.

Regards
Chris

[Paul R.]

Chris. It sounds like you are storing the correctly. I hope that they are in a acid free box. If you have several items on top of each other. There should be a barrier acid free paper between them. I would add a humidity gauge to the room. The humidity should be around 43%-45% year round. Winter humidity can be too dry. Paul

[ChrisJ]

Chris. It sounds like you are storing the correctly. I hope that they are in a acid free box. If you have several items on top of each other. There should be a barrier acid free paper between them. I would add a humidity gauge to the room. The humidity should be around 43%-45% year round. Winter humidity can be too dry. Paul

Hi Paul....yes, I seperate the individual sheets with buffered archival tissue, and them each is sotred in a archival polyester sleeve.

I feel that the paper elements are being preserved well, but I have been thinking about the leather cassettes, and wonder whether I run the danger of "over dehumidifying"..

Any thoughts ?

Regards and thanks
Chris

[Paul R.]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. Pick up that humidity gauge and follow the humidity for a couple of weeks. Try to keep it about 43-45% humidity. There are times that you can't control that humidity(if you are on vacation ect). A couple of weeks with a small spike in humidity is still okay as long as it not prolong. Paul

[ChrisJ]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. Pick up that humidity gauge and follow the humidity for a couple of weeks. Try to keep it about 43-45% humidity. There are times that you can't control that humidity(if you are on vacation ect). A couple of weeks with a small spike in humidity is still okay as long as it not prolong. Paul

Thanks Paul...I'll do that.

Appreciate your comments.

Rgds
Chris

[ChrisJ]

Thanks

......