The work of an Archive Conservator is diverse. One day could be spent looking through a microscope, consolidating flaking pigment with a 000 brush, the next we could be using a backing hammer to shape the spine of a book. A Conservator’s toolkit needs a plethora of tools to ensure we have the right instrument for the job.
Acknowledging the past & embracing the future
Many of the tools in our kits have been used by crafts people for centuries; Japanese brushes and bone folders as examples; others embrace modern technology, such as digital microscopes. Every tool assists Conservators in providing the best possible treatment for each unique document we work on, to ensure its long-term preservation.
Conservators use a variety of brushes for cleaning, washing and applying adhesives. These are a few examples; the noribake (top left) for lining documents with Japanese paper, a paste brush (second from right) for bookbinding, and a water reservoir brush (yellow), allowing for an even application without re-dipping.
A natural chemistry
Conservators need a good comprehension of organic chemistry, to understand the deterioration processes occurring within a document and the consequences of potential treatments. Digital microscopes (top right) can provide evidence not available to the naked eye, solvents (top left) are used sparingly when necessary, for example in the removal of tape.
The binding of books
Bookbinding tools have remained the same for generations, such as paring knives and strops (left), bone folders (second from right) and sewing keys (top right). Whilst training, Archive Conservators are taught to bind a variety of books (such as full leather, spring-backs and case bindings) so that we can fully understand their structure and materials when we come to conserve them.
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You can find out more about the work of a Conservator in a recent blog about the Railway Plans.