Folded documents

Ron Lieberman <ronbiblio<-a t->delphi< . >com> writes

>I am working with a large collection of 19th
>Century documents, deeds, and letters (mainly stampless covers),
>several thousand items. These were folded and stored for over 100
>years. The question:  Should these be flattened out and stored flat
>or left folded.

In regard to the humidification chamber for flattening documents:

Check the documents frequently (as in every few minutes). It doesn't
take long for the humidification to begin, and it doesn't take long
for mold growth to begin. Once the items have begun to relax,
flatten them under light weights between blotters. Make sure they
are thoroughly dry before placing them in folders, mylar sleeves, or
other enclosure.

CKeyes

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:37
                 Distributed: Friday, October 17, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-37-008
                                  ***