Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 9, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 28, 2000 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2001-0779.pr001
Preface This volume continues the fine tradition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) of publishing papers from the symposia of Historic Textiles and Paper symposia sponsored by the Cellulose, Paper, and Textile Division of the ACS. Three Historic Textiles and Paper symposia have been published as ACS Symposium Series and two as ACS Advances in Chemistry Series. Two of the books were edited by Howard Needles and Haig Zeronian, retired Professors of Textiles of the University of California, at Davis. Needles and Haig have made significant contributions to the conservation science literature. In keeping with this tradition, this book is a tribute to the ACS for its promotion of the science base of fundamental investigations for historic works of art. This volume presents reports from two symposia: Historic Textiles and Paper and Polymers in Museums that were presented at the national ACS meeting in Boston in 1998. Within the symposia, investigators have examined unique characteristics and analytical methods that have lead to proposed solutions for stabilizing aged protein fibers (wool and silk) and cellulosic fibers (paper and wood) as well as synthetic polymers. These investigators are practicing conservators, conservation scientists, and academic researchers. Their works add to the rich resource of conservation research that informs broad audiences of the unique challenges involved in investigating objects of historic significance. This ASC volume on Historic Paper and Textiles is an important reference for the application of scientific methods to examine artifacts and art objects and for the assessment of their condition. It can be used for formulating decisions concerning documentation, prescribed care, exhibition, and storage. It covers the aging of natural and synthetic polymers such as wool, cotton, silk, paper, wood, and polymers used in sculptures and photographies films as well as in other media. The aging properties of wool fibers and a comprehensive review of the aging, degradation, and conservation of historic materials made from cellulosic fibers will prove an invaluable resource for conservators of historic objects, art historians, academicians, and curators of museum collections who are responsible for the conservation and restoration of museum artifacts. This book examines the influence of mordants and natural dyes on the color fading and the degradation of cotton and silk fabrics and their implications for determining conditions for exhibition and display. Important analytical methods of high-performance size exclusion chromatography, viscometry, and gel electrophoresis are described as methods for assessing damage in silk textiles. The technique of microchemical manipulation, light microscopy, and FTIR
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Cardamone and Baker; Historic Textiles, Papers, and Polymers in Museums ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2000.
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 9, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 28, 2000 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2001-0779.pr001
spectroscopy are described for the analysis of historic cotton fibers including those from a marine environment. Other spectroscopic investigations include the degradation of vulcanized natural rubber museum artifacts. Laser surface profilometry is introduced as a novel technique for the examination of polymer surfaces. Also included is a comparison of natural and artificial aging effects of cellulose acetate artifacts as followed by FTIR spectroscopy and ion chromatography, and the applications of light microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy to distinguish between oil and acrylic painting media. This book will serve as a valuable tutorial and resource for the understanding of the properties of new and aged works of art across a broad spectrum of media. Aged historic objects present special problems and require unique solutions. Addressing the degradation of an aged object can require incorporating conventional and new technologies. The ACS is among the few publishers who offer basic and practical information on the application of science to the conservation of works of art. The time is ripe for such a publication to address the U.S. Government's Third Millennium Initiative that focuses on the preservation of historic objects.
JEANETTE M. CARDAMONE
Eastern Regional Research Center Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 600 East Mermaid Lane Wyndmoor, PA 19038 MARY T. BAKER
Chemonics International Egypt MVE 1133 20th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036
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Cardamone and Baker; Historic Textiles, Papers, and Polymers in Museums ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2000.
