Lead

David Kerr <d.kerr [at] nls__uk> writes

>We have received a donation of printing blocks consisting of wooden
>blocks with metal printing plates adhered.  A note has been inserted
>with the package of blocks indicating the metal may contain lead and
>therefore lead oxide may be present.  What precautions should we be
>taking when handling these blocks and are there any recommendations
>that should be followed should Library users wish to look at them.
>Also, the printing blocks haven't been cleaned since they were last
>used with a combination of dried ink and dust on them.  Does anybody
>have any recommendations for cleaning them.

As a user of lead type, my recommendation is that you not attempt to
remove the dried ink. It is very much a record of the history of the
object, and potentially a future source of information on the
printing process used.

Tom Vanderlinden
Printing for preservation
Bridgeport National Bindery


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:25
                Distributed: Wednesday, December 1, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-25-009
                                  ***