5 SUMMARY

THE VARIATIONS IN bleach bath composition and paper pretreatment considered in this experiment reduced the tendency of the paper to blister in certain cases. While the use of a less alkaline solution and the addition of ethanol showed promise, no test procedure eliminated the problem of blistering. No “miracle cure” was discovered for this problem, and the conservator should always be aware that blistering may occur even if precautions are taken. Certainly, further research is warranted.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THIS RESEARCH WAS performed while the author was a student at the Cooperstown Graduate Program. The author would like to thank the faculty, especially Dr. Christopher Tahk and Ms. Cathleen Baker, and his fellow students for their help and guidance.