Volume 14, Number 2, May 1992, pp.30-31

Publications-Audiovisual

Print Publications

Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator, Prepared by Shelley G. Sturman with Martin Burke and Doris A. Hamburg, 1991 published by the AIC; free.

Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator is written for the general public.

In the first section, titled "What is a Conservator?," the range of a well-educated conservator's knowledge and expertise is summarized. Different kinds of training are explained. "FAIC Conservation Services Referral System" presents the FAIC s free nationwide referral system that seeks to put a member of the public in touch with conservators in their region. Under "What Questions to Ask a Potential Conservator," the importance of inquiring about a conservator's education and experience is emphasized.

"What to Expect" outlines the professional approach to conservation practice: examination and treatment proposal mutually agreed-upon cost and time schedule, and treatment report.

"Exercising Caution" acknowledges the time-consuming and costly nature of conservation treatments and the variability in approaches to problems.

A separate section on "Information Sources" tells about the AIC, the NIC, the Getty Conservation Institute, the IIC, the IIC-CG and mentions the existence of regional conservation organizations. This is one of two new educational pamphlets from the AIC. The other, Caring for your Treasurers: Books to Help You, is reviewed below. Printed on glossy 9-inch x 16-inch sheets and folded to create brochures that fit into an envelope, a copy of both can be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope to the AIC / 1400 16th St. NW Suite 340 / Wash. DC 20036. --E.C.W.

Caring for Your Treasures: Books to Help You
Compiled by Sarah Wagner and Doris A. Hamburg 1991, pub. by the AIC, free.

This brochure--a mate to Guidelines for Selecting A Conservator--lists reading material about artifact care. The bibliography is divided into sections: Guides for a Variety of Materials (9 publications), Architecture and Outdoor Sculpture (6), Books and Paper (12), Furniture and Wooden Objects (3), Metal, Glass and Ceramics (3), Paintings (3), Photographs (3), Textiles (3), Artists Materials and Techniques (7). About one-third of the brochure is a list of the addresses and phone numbers of the publishers of each item listed in the bibliography. While the brochure seems to be intended for the public, many of the publications are only marginally appropriate for general consumption. Entries are not annotated. --E.C.W.

Descriptions of Various Leafcasters 1956-1982
by Per M. Laursen, translated and annotated by Moya Tonnies, edited by Ellen McCrad monographs in the Abbey Newsletter, Abbey Publications, 320 E. Center Street, Provo, UT 84606.

Per Laursen's book written in Danish in 1981 was the first attempt to describe and publish the historical development of leafcasting. He translated it into German in 1983. Here it is translated into English with some minor revisions. In this first installment the history of using an aqueous suspension of cellulose fibers to make paper repairs is reviewed. The difference between manual pulp application and mechanical leafcasting is explained.

A manual pulp application method is described and illustrated with sketches and photographs.

Making a single piece of paper with a sheet former, a testing apparatus of the paper industry, is presented. Leafcasting machines used in conservation are based on industrial sheet formers.

Upcoming monographs will describe 10 leafcasters will compare manual and mechanical pulp application, will report types of fibers that can be used, will show how to calculate the required amount of fibers will show how to calculate the amount of fiber suspension needed, and will describe freeness testing. --E.C.W.

Perspectives on Natural Disaster Mitigation: Papers Presented at 1991 AIC Workshop

Compilation of papers presented at the 1991 AIC Natural Disaster Mitigation Workshop, the pre-session of the 1991 AIC Annual Meeting in Albuquerque. Free from the AIC with $7.00 shipping and handling fee. AIC /1400 16th Street NW Suite 340 / Washington DC 20036.

"At Risk from Natural Hazards" by Walter W. Hays (U.S. Geological Survey) discusses reducing risk to national treasures from floods, landslides, windstorms, earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, drought, and tsunamis. Includes references.

"Urban Emergency Planning and Preparedness" by Shirley Mattingly (City of Los Angeles) focuses on local government's role in disasters and disaster preparedness; how to maximize protection to collections and to people; developing partnerships between local governments and collection care givers.

"People in Emergencies"by Mary Lystad (mental health consultant) deals with mental health during mass emergencies. Some references listed.

"Administering Collections and Institutions in Emergency Planning" by Gail Joice (Seattle Art Museum) discusses the difficulty of maintaining disaster preparedness when underlying disbelief and denial cause people to avoid the subject.

"The Events of an Emergency" by Thomas E. Drabek (Dept. of Sociology Univ. of Denver). Drabek discuses 7 topics: vulnerability assessment, some unique features of disasters, comprehensive emergency management, the mitigation function, the preparedness function, the response function, and the recovery function. Lengthy list of references.

"Protecting Historic Structures from Hurricane and Earthquake Hazards" by Barclay G. Jones (Cornell University). Nine kinds of physical impact on buildings from these hazards are defined and discussed. Many diagrams and a 14 item biblio.

"Safeguarding a Collection and Building from Natural Hazards" by Jerry J. Podany (J. Paul Getty Museum). The preventive conservation approach: defining the threats, planning a response, prevention. Emphasis is on the threat of earthquakes. How do objects within a building move in an earthquake? What mounts have been devised for various kinds of objects that may protect objects during earthquakes? Includes many drawings for storage and exhibition mounts and an 18 item biblio.

"Emergency Preparedness Plan: Developing One and Practicing It" by Jerry C. Podany (J.Paul Getty Museum). Suggestions for developing an emergency response plan at your institution. Includes the J. Paul Getty Museum's Dept. of Antiquities procedures and guidelines for damage response. --E.C.W.

The Getty Conservation Institute offers many publications of interest to conservators. To order, or for more information, write Getty Trust Publications Distribution Center, P.O. Box 2112, Santa Monica, California 90407-2112. Prices shown do not include shipping and handling charges. The most recent GCI catalog includes:

The Conservation of Wall Paintings
Sharon Cather, Editor, 1991, 130 pages color and b/w illus. paperbound $42.50.

Metallography and Microstructure In Ancient and Historic Metals
David A. Scott, 1991, 176 pages, color and b/w illustrations paperbound $49.95.

The Conservation of the Orpheus Mosaic at Paphos, Cyprus
Nicholas Stanley Price, Editor, 1991, 88 pages, illustrations, paperbound, $25.00.

Art & Archaeology Technical Abstracts Volume 28, Nos. 1 and 2, 1991, paperbound, $50.00.

Supplemental Bibliography to Art & Archaeology Technical Abstracts Volume 28: The Conservation and Technology of Musical Instruments
Cary Karp, Editor, 1991, paperbound $40(individuals), $60 (institutions).

The Conservation of Tapestries and Embroideries: Proceedings of Meetings at the Institute Royal du Patrimonie Artistique Brussels Belgium 1989
130 pages, color and b/w illustrations, paperbound, $35.

Urushi: Proceedings of the 1985 Urushi Study Group
Norman S. Brommelle and Perry Smith, Eds., 1988, 260 pages, color and b/w illustrations, paperbound, $45.

In Situ Archaeological Conservation
Henry W. M. Hodges, Editor, 1987, 230 pages and b/w illustrations, paperbound, $30.

Between Two Earthquakes
by Sir Bernard M. Feilden, 1987, 108 pages, 21 illustrations, $12.

The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials
by Mary Lou E. Florian, Ruth Norton, Dale Kronkright; 1990, 350 pages illus., paperbound, $30.

International Index on Training in Conservation of Cultural Property
1987, 96 pages, paperbound, $10

The Nature of Conservation: A Race Against Time
by Philip Ward, 1989, 70 pages, illustrated, paperbound, $12.

Preprints: ICOM Committee for Conservation, 9th Triennial Meeting, Dresden, Germany, August 1990
840 pages, $100.

Preprints: ICOM Committee for Conservation, 8th Triennial Meeting, Sydney, Australia, September 1987
1230 pages, $100.

Conservation of Earthen Architecture: Adobe Conference Preprints
1990, 350 pages, illustrations, paperbound, $70.

Statistical Analysis in Art Conservation Research
by Terry J. Reedy and Chandra L. Reedy, 1988, 108 pages, $20.

Cellulose Nitrate in Conservation
by Charles Selwitz, 1988, 72 pages, $20.

Evaluation of Cellulose Ethers for Conservation
by Robert L. Feller and M. Wilt, 1990, 156 pages, illus., paperbound, $20.

Protection of Works of Art from Atmospheric Ozone
by Glen R. Cass, James R. Druzik, Daniel Grosjean, William W. Nazaroff, Paul M. Whitmore, Cynthia L. Whittman, 1990, 94 p, $20.

Audiovisual

Inquiry: Pest control videos. From San Francisco, Katherine Untch writes, "We need training videotapes on pest control for non-conservation staff. If you are aware of any existing video on the subject, please call Katherine Untch, 415/668-8921, ext. 60."

Caring for your Microform Collection: The Next Step in Preservation.

A 13-minute video on proper storage and handling techniques of microform collections is available free from University Microforms International. Temp. and humidity control, preservation microfilm/fiche cleaning and inspection are among the topics discussed. VHS format. This video complements another video distributed by UMI: Providing a Future for the Past. To order, call 800/521-0600, ext. 3801; from Canada, 800/343-5299, ext. 3801. (from The Commission on Preservation and Access Newsletter)

Slow Fires

Called by Ellen McCrady "the best statement yet of the brittle book problem," this videotape is available in a 30 minute or 1-hr version from the Commission on Preservation and Access (202/939- 3400. Or, purchase it from the American Film Foundation, Santa Monica, California (213/459-2116).