VPD papers

This is a comment on Jane Brown's question concerning VPD treatment
of books and changes in the surface texture of the book covers.  I
asked people I know who had more experience than I with CHC (we have
never used it in our lab). It was apparent, especially from Anne
Kahle who has had considerable experience, that some cover materials
do react with the CHC during treatment resulting in a variety of
features, including that which you have noted.  Most people who used
the method were aware of which covers to look for to avoid the
problem, if possible, however, since the method was very cost
effective most workers felt (and librarians, private owners, etc.)
that such changes were a small price to pay for such an effective
treatment.  Armed with this knowledge a conservator or librarian
could make effective decisions to save some books where cost and not
appearance was the main concern.  In general, as I said in an
earlier post on the history of CHC use, the method fell into
disrepute due to health concerns and some incorrect views of its
effectiveness.

Niccolo Caldararo
Director and Chief Conservator
Conservation Art Service

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:86
                  Distributed: Monday, April 27, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-86-003
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