--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: [Consdistlist] How do I care for aluminum offset print plates
...We recently came upon some plates from 1960s publications that appear to be
aluminum offset printing plates. How should I be storing these. They seem in
good condition and are now being stored in flat map folders in a room that is
kept at 60 degrees and 50-55% humidity. Should I remove them from the folders
and store separately or are they save in with paper products?...
Marybeth S. F. Tomka, M.A.
Head of Collections
TARL
The University of Texas at Austin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Marybeth,
Depending on your storage situation I would personally house them in an
area with other metals. Like with like, in this case so you could hopefully
store them in a lower humidity level to avoid potential corrosion products,
which could stain surrounding items, if you're unsure of the composition of the
plates. The map folders themselves are likely fine but what I would be
concerned about would be the retrieval of the plates or other items. Depending
on how they are stored retrieval could cause the plates to slide around and
cause damage. Also, if the plates are thicker the weight of the plates could
cause compression damage to items below if they are stored on top of items in
your paper storage. In an ideal word I'd likely store them padded in a box but
that'd depend on available materials and the characteristics of the plates.
William Shepherd
Collections Officer
Swift Current Museum
44 Robert Street West
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
S9H 4M9
Phone: 306-778-4815
Fax: 306-778-4818
******
Unsubscribe by sending a message to consdistlist-le...@cool.conservation-us.org
Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
