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Thanks for glitter suggestions



    Thanks to all who responded to my query about the card containing glitter.
There were quite a few suggestions.  Several people reminded me that repeated
and long term handling would inevitably destroy the card.  In other words,
choose to preserve or choose to touch, but not both.  Several others offered
their services as conservators or recommended contacting conservators at the
National Archives and the Library of Congress, as well as the archivist at
Hallmark cards.  Others offered treatment suggestions.  Here's a summary:

1.  encapsulate  (problem - static electricity)

2.  spray with:
        clear Krylon
        craft store fixative
        hairspray
        spray adhesive
        matte spray varnish

3.  after spraying, have a framer frame and mat in plexiglass (making sure the
matting and     plexiglass are archivally correct)

4.  have a professional paper conservator "consolidate" the glitter, then create
a proper housing    system to protect the card from hands

5.  color photocopy or photograph the card for display, store the original

6.  laminate

    What I think we will do is kind of a compromise but one that will work best
for us.  I will probably try the Krylon spray idea (testing first on another
item) to stablize the glitter, then put it on display for awhile so as to make
it very visible but not to invite a lot of touching (a high shelf or a cabinet),
then (maybe) make a color photocopy for display and store the original.  We
don't have the time or resources here to get into a lot of serious conservation
work.  A better bet, for this card as well as for all the senator's papers, is
to work hard on getting them into a good repository where they will be given
proper professional care.  And yes, we are working on doing that.

    Again, thanks to all.

Colleen Mason
Office of Senator Patrick J. Leahy (VT)
433 RSOB
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4242, 224-4357

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