This large folio,hand colored lithograph is typical of many 19th century prints, where pine backboards were inappropriately used in its original framing. This condition permitted oxidation and contamination to enter the entire print area, resulting in a combination of surface soiling and waterstaning. This degradation was further troubled by a harmful acidity level of 5.3 pH. Foxing and mildew also contributed to its present deteriorated, but reversible condition. First we thoroughly dry-clean the face and verso to remove all loose surface dirt and residual soiling. The original coloring is sealed in, making sure all coloring is retained during the remainder of our work.
Next step begins the actual cleaning process of stain reduction with a procedure of deacidification.
This time consuming process enables us to reduce most of the stubborn stains which are present. Throughout this entire process, every attempt has been made to use nondestructive chemicals and to preserve all of the prints original coloring. Until you decide to have a print restored to its full original beauty, by us, our process may not be fully appreciated by you, but it does permit your collection to grow old gracefully , by using naturally safe methods which are dedicated to preserving even the smallest of important details. From beginning to completion, your print could have as many as twelve separate deacidification treatments, with your print continually being monitored, using an electronic pH meter. The stain reduction process takes place from the back of the print, the same way most stains got there years ago.