Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather 2. RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather 3. RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather 4. RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather 5. WAG 2026 Annual Meeting Call for Papers 6. Beginning Book Repair Workshop -- Carson (Los Angeles), CA - Sat. Nov. 8, 2025 7. Call for Proposals- Southeast Regional Conservation Association - 2026 Annual Meeting in Cherokee, NC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Joanne Hackett Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 9:21 AM Subject: RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Message: Hi Dee, this is a problem that I'm sadly all to familiar with. I think your approach to removing the tissue is going to depend on the manufacture date of the boots. The date range you aive means that the following finishes are a possibility. The standard early 20th century process for patent leather was numerous coats of nitrocellulose lacquer applied onto leather that was then cured with heat or UV light. This process tends to result in a leather that is very prone to cracking and tends to be dry rather than sticky. It may be the case that someone coated the boots at some later date to hide cracks and scuffs in which case, the coating could be anything. There's a 1933 patent for the use of phenol formaldehyde (Bakelite) for coating leather but I'm not sure how common this was. Dupont released patents from 1942-46 for the use of vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate with plasticizer, with 'Vinylite' launching on the market in 1944. Your boots could, potentially, be any of these processes. PU is not commonly encountered until the 1960's. If, as Venessa suggest, your tissue is stuck in a plasticizer, humidity though Goretex or perhaps a hydrogel might loosen it up enough to move. If that doesn't work, you might try running through water/ethanol, ethanol, acetone to see if it's a lacquer problem. Francois Richard has recently published some very interesting papers on the solvent-loading of hydrogels that might be a good jumping off point if you're trying to reduce the amount of solvent vapour in your work room. Françoise Richard Rigid solvent gels in paper conservation <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rao-dKr2GgM> ------------------------------ Joanne Hackett Lecturer in Textile Conservation University of Glasgow Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research Pinner United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 18:21 From: Dee Stubbs-Lee Subject: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather I am currently treating a pair of pull-on black leather boots with a very high shine surface finish (I think this is considered patent leather). They date from the 1930s or early 1940s. The boots had been wrapped for storage many years ago in black tissue paper, which has unfortunately become firmly adhered to the majority of the surface. The paper will not release with gentle mechanical action alone, so I believe I will have to introduce moisture and / or solvent. I do not currently have access to a functioning fume hood. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dee Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC, FIIC Conservator / Restauratrice New Brunswick Museum Research and Collections Center 228 Lancaster Avenue Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2M 2K8 (506) 643-2341 [email protected] <[email protected]> www.nbm-mnb.ca 2.From: Robin Hodgson Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 9:21 AM Subject: RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Message: Hi, I agree absolutely with the suggestion that the adhesion of the paper is due to a plasticiser in the finish, I've experienced multiple problems with patent leather in storage, adhesion to packaging materials and blooming. However , I've never been successful in returning the surface to a gloss. Regards, Robin ------------------------------ Robin Hodgson Owner RH Conservation Engineering Flinders Australia ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-13-2025 12:12 From: Vanessa Applebaum Subject: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Hi Dee, my first thought when I read this is that the tissue likely adhered because of plasticizer (maybe it's PU patent leather?) or an old resin coating/finish migrating to the surface. I might try controlled humidification by using damp blotter layered with Gore-Tex or similar (though test the tissue to make sure there isn't dye bleed first). Try it out for maybe 10 mins and see if gentle mechanical removal works then. Let us know how it goes. ------------------------------ Vanessa Applebaum Director of Conservation Toledo Museum of Art [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 18:21 From: Dee Stubbs-Lee Subject: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather I am currently treating a pair of pull-on black leather boots with a very high shine surface finish (I think this is considered patent leather). They date from the 1930s or early 1940s. The boots had been wrapped for storage many years ago in black tissue paper, which has unfortunately become firmly adhered to the majority of the surface. The paper will not release with gentle mechanical action alone, so I believe I will have to introduce moisture and / or solvent. I do not currently have access to a functioning fume hood. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dee Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC, FIIC Conservator / Restauratrice New Brunswick Museum Research and Collections Center 228 Lancaster Avenue Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2M 2K8 (506) 643-2341 [email protected] <[email protected]> www.nbm-mnb.ca 3.From: Yvonne Shashoua Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 9:21 AM Subject: RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Message: If the boots date from 1930s or 40s, any coating on the leather is likely to be cellulose nitrate (CN). PVC was used more widely after this period. CN can be readily identified using the diphenylamine test and will produce a dark blue colour. PVC will give a green flame when burned on a copper flame in the Beilsten test. Because both of these plastics are water resistant, dampening the tissue paper to soften before peeling it off would be a sensible approach. Yvonne Shashoua Research Professor, National Museum of Denmark ysh(at)natmus.dk ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 9/13/2025 12:12:00 PM From: Vanessa Applebaum Subject: RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Hi Dee, my first thought when I read this is that the tissue likely adhered because of plasticizer (maybe it's PU patent leather?) or an old resin coating/finish migrating to the surface. I might try controlled humidification by using damp blotter layered with Gore-Tex or similar (though test the tissue to make sure there isn't dye bleed first). Try it out for maybe 10 mins and see if gentle mechanical removal works then. Let us know how it goes. ------------------------------ Vanessa Applebaum Director of Conservation Toledo Museum of Art [email protected] ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 18:21 From: Dee Stubbs-Lee Subject: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather I am currently treating a pair of pull-on black leather boots with a very high shine surface finish (I think this is considered patent leather). They date from the 1930s or early 1940s. The boots had been wrapped for storage many years ago in black tissue paper, which has unfortunately become firmly adhered to the majority of the surface. The paper will not release with gentle mechanical action alone, so I believe I will have to introduce moisture and / or solvent. I do not currently have access to a functioning fume hood. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dee Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC, FIIC Conservator / Restauratrice New Brunswick Museum Research and Collections Center 228 Lancaster Avenue Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2M 2K8 (506) 643-2341 [email protected] <[email protected]> www.nbm-mnb.ca 4.From: Gabriel Jones Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 9:21 AM Subject: RE: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather Message: Hello Dee, I had a similar issue with a patent leather pouch within the Canadian War Museum collection where paper residue on reverse from improper storage wrapped in newsprint in an attic, causing the linseed oil finish of the patent process to soften and cross-link with the newsprint. The cross-linked paper was removed by applying careful heat locally using a hot air gun, and working the paper out progressively first with a surfactant/water mix (1:2), then an ethanol/water mix (50%). The end result was excellent. Hope this helps, Gabriel Jones Director of Preservation Services Wind Hill Heritage <https://www.instagram.com/windhillheritage/> ------------------------------ Gabriel Jones Manager Black Loyalist Heritage Center Shelburne Canada ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 18:21 From: Dee Stubbs-Lee Subject: Tissue paper adhered to patent leather I am currently treating a pair of pull-on black leather boots with a very high shine surface finish (I think this is considered patent leather). They date from the 1930s or early 1940s. The boots had been wrapped for storage many years ago in black tissue paper, which has unfortunately become firmly adhered to the majority of the surface. The paper will not release with gentle mechanical action alone, so I believe I will have to introduce moisture and / or solvent. I do not currently have access to a functioning fume hood. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dee Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC, FIIC Conservator / Restauratrice New Brunswick Museum Research and Collections Center 228 Lancaster Avenue Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2M 2K8 (506) 643-2341 [email protected] <[email protected]> www.nbm-mnb.ca 5.From: Elly Stewart Davis Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 6:47 PM Subject: WAG 2026 Annual Meeting Call for Papers Message: The Wooden Artifacts Group (WAG) is seeking papers for the 2026 AIC Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada, 28 April-2 May 2026, which is being held jointly with our Canadian colleagues at CAC-ACCR. <https://www.cac-accr.ca/> The theme of this year's meeting is "Conservation at the Intersection of Innovation and Tradition." We are seeking proposals for presentations that discuss the preservation, treatment, and/or research of furniture and wooden artifacts. Abstract submissions should be no more than 500 words with an additional speaker biography of up to 300 words. Talks are to be a maximum of 20 minutes in length with an additional 5 minutes for questions. The deadline to submit abstracts is Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. Click here <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting/call-for-submissions> to view the AIC submission guidelines and submit an abstract. Please tag the Wooden Artifacts Group in the submission form to be considered for this session. WAG has also partnered with the Archaeological Heritage Network (AHN) to host a joint session focusing on the care and treatment of archaeological and waterlogged wood. If your submission falls within the category of archaeological wood, please consider submitting to our joint session by tagging both WAG and AHN in the submission portal. Please note that at the upcoming meeting specialty group programming time slots will be more limited and members are encouraged to submit to any of the general sessions if their project aligns with one of those themes. Limited funding is available for speaker travel to the annual meeting - please see AIC and FAIC Deputy Director Tiffani Emig's message about funding opportunities on the AIC Member Community <https://www.culturalheritage.org/discussion/financial-support-opportunities-for-2026-annual-meeting-and-conference-speakers>. She writes, "If cost of attendance is making you hesitate about submitting an abstract proposal for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference in Montreal, please review the following speaker support opportunities to see if you might be eligible. There is no separate application, you simply indicate eligibility and interest in being considered for each opportunity during the abstract submission process." For questions or more information, please contact WAG Program Chair, Elly Davis ([email protected] <[email protected]>) and WAG Assistant Program Chair, Caite Sofield ([email protected] <[email protected]>) ------------------------------ Elly Stewart Davis Assistant Objects Conservator Gilcrease Museum Tulsa, OK United States ------------------------------ 6.From: Cynthia Kapteyn Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 6:48 PM Subject: Beginning Book Repair Workshop -- Carson (Los Angeles), CA - Sat. Nov. 8, 2025 Message: Learn how to make basic book repairs for circulating or general collections in this one-day hands-on workshop taught by the Huntington Library's Book Conservator Mitchel Gundrum with assistance from UCLA's Book and Paper Conservator Nicole Alvarado. Participants will learn about proper book handling procedures; how to perform basic repairs such as hinge repair, tear repairs, and tipping-in loose pages; and how to make a pamphlet stitch binding. Who should attend? Library, archives, and other repository staff who have responsibility for the preservation of circulating collections. LIMITED ENROLLMENT: Due to the nature of the course and our limited space, the workshop is limited to 12 participants. If enrolment is full, and you would like to get on the waitlist, please contact us by email. This workshop is brought to you by Los Angeles Preservation Network. For more information on our organization, please visit lapnet.org. Questions? Please contact [email protected] To register for this workshop, purchase event tickets from this link: Beginning Book Repair Tickets, Sat, Nov 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginning-book-repair-tickets-1661829630159?aff=ebdssbdestsearch> ------------------------------ Cynthia Kapteyn Book and Paper Conservator, Digitization Coordinator The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens San Marino United States ------------------------------ 7.From: Marianne Kelsey Posted: Sunday September 14, 2025 6:49 PM Subject: Call for Proposals- Southeast Regional Conservation Association - 2026 Annual Meeting in Cherokee, NC Message: Call for Proposals – SERCA 2026 Annual Conference Theme: Out-of-the-Box! The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Dates: Thursday, February 26th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026 Location: Cherokee, North Carolina The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to announce our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina! We invite innovative, thought-provoking, and dynamic proposals for presentations that explore creative approaches to conservation. This year's theme, Out-of-the-Box!, celebrates the bold, the experimental, and the unconventional-methods, materials, and practices that push beyond traditional models of care and preservation. Laura Elliff Cruz, Head of Collections at the School for Advanced Research (SAR) Indian Arts Research Center (IARC), will lead a workshop on the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide. This framework honors Indigenous belief systems and practices, centering Tribal sovereignty and intellectual authority over cultural heritage. We welcome proposals on a wide range of topics-whether rooted in Indigenous practices, experimental conservation treatments, experimental techniques, or imaginative uses of nontraditional materials. Presentations do not need to be directly related to Indigenous collections to be considered; all ideas that challenge the status quo and inspire fresh thinking are encouraged! Join us as we gather in the heart of the Appalachians to share knowledge, spark conversation, and reimagine the future of cultural heritage preservation. Proposal submissions are due by October 15th, 2025. SERCA will notify presenters if their presentation has been selected by November 30th, 2025. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic event and to share your knowledge with colleagues from across the region. To submit a proposal, please complete the Submit a Proposal Form. <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevmHVl5LJrqbVW16JuZ-SDA4OZ8nnUbOSbSiFeWDBNxNlwBg/viewform> Email any questions to me at [email protected] <[email protected]>. ------------------------------ Marianne Kelsey SERCA Communications Coordinator Paper Conservator Kelsey Conservation Greensboro NC ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
