Beta-radiography plates available

The Library of Congress is planning to order a new beta-radiography
plate for the recording of watermarks in rare books and paper
artifacts.  The order will be from Amersham International in England
through an American distributor: QSA Global in Massachusetts.
Because the plates are no longer made according to the
specifications appropriate for book and paper conservation use, the
company has to make a special run for us.  Other medical
applications of the beta-plate do not use the same amount of
radioactive source in the plate as watermark detection does. This is
an opportunity for other institutions to make a joint order for a
beta-radiography plate, if they wish.  As far as I have been able to
determine the plates are not otherwise available.  Other
technologies have been introduced in the meantime for recording
watermarks  but nothing works as well for bound books as the beta
plate.

The cost of purchasing a plate would be considerably less if more
institutions joined in the one-time order, i.e. one plate alone
might cost as much as $15,000. However purchasing four plates would
divide that figure by four.  Please let me know if your institution
is interested in participating in this one-time order.

Sylvia R. Albro
Senior Paper Conservator
Conservation Division
202-707-1202


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:55
                  Distributed: Saturday, May 13, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-55-001
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