Linocut ink

Jonathan S. Farley <j.farley [at] rbgkew__org__uk> writes

>I have a linocut print dating back to the 1930s which was put into a
>frame in the 1950s. The frame had no matt and perspex instead of
>glass. The ink of the linocut is very heavy and, having been pressed
>against the perspex for so long has stuck quite firmly to it. The
>perspex is deteriorating fairly rapidly and the print needs to be
>removed from it.

I may have missed the beginning of this discussion but if not have
you tried heat?

Application of a heated pad over a period of time will
simultaneously soften the oils in the ink and expand the Plexiglas
towards the heat source. If your print is well supported (and you
are lucky) separation will occur without any mechanical intervention
or with very little manipulation of the paper. I like to use the
heated gel pads used for sports injuries which can be heated in the
microwave and hold warmth for at least 30 minutes.

Daria Keynan


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:67
                 Distributed: Wednesday, April 28, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-17-67-009
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