Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: OnionSkin paper 2. Icon BPG25 Conference, last chance to book: in-person 12th October, online 17th October 2025 3. Icon Modern Materials: Autumn Talks (2 of 4) Varnishing PVC 4. Posting for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Objects Conservation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Rita Udina Posted: Thursday October 9, 2025 7:15 AM Subject: RE: OnionSkin paper Message: Dear Barry, Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree that tracing paper is different from the others (onion skin, airmail, typist's), but I see the latter as the most similar to tracing paper in their overall features - that's why I thought it was worth reflecting on how we define them all. And thank you for summarising so neatly the three key variables that make all the difference! Indeed, fibre furnish is one of the main factors. Onion skin and airmail papers usually have a high rag content (cotton or linen), while tracing papers are generally made from chemically pulped wood fibres from which lignin has been removed - sometimes mixed with rag fibres in higher-quality grades. The longer and purer the fibres, the stronger and more flexible the paper, which already explains part of their different behaviour. The second factor you mention - the length of beating - is also crucial: extensive beating shortens and fibrillates the fibres, producing a denser and more translucent sheet (as in tracing paper). Onion skin, on the other hand, is less over-beaten, leaving the fibres longer and the sheet less compact, hence slightly more opaque and "breathable." Finally, sizing has a strong impact on translucency and wet behaviour. Tracing papers are often super-calendered or chemically modified, while onion skin tends to rely on mechanical translucency and traditional surface sizing with gelatine, starch or rosin. Warm regards, ------------------------------ Rita Udina Book & Paper Conservator Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent Barcelona Spain ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 10-07-2025 12:35 From: Barry Knight Subject: OnionSkin paper Dear Rita, Thanks for starting this interesting discussion. I think I would make a distinction between onion skin, air mail and typist's copy paper on the one hand, and tracing paper (and hard toilet paper!) on the other. Are the differences to do with fibre furnish? Length of beating = degree of defibrillation? Sizing? I'd like to hear your opinion. Regards, Barry ------------------------------ Barry Knight Conservation Scientist St Albans UK ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 10-06-2025 05:43 From: Rita Udina Subject: OnionSkin paper Thanks a lot, Sabine! Your observation about the lack of fillers makes perfect sense - fillers make paper heavier and more opaque (less translucent). Well spotted! A valuable point for defining it. >From what I understand, there isn't really a difference between onion skin >paper and airmail paper. Airmail paper required to be lightweight, and because >onion skin paper shared this quality, it was often used for airmail purposes, >among others. Two of the images on the blog post shows a watermark and >packaging combining both terms (as well as the brand name): "Barcino Onion >Skin. Correo aéreo" and "Barcino Onion Skin Air Mail" In this case, air mail >refers to the intended use, while onion skin is the name given to the type of >paper itself. Papers often inherit the names of their purposes -as in tracing paper or smoking paper- which explains the confusion: too many names for a wide variety of papers! As for the "foreign" and "bank notes" relationship, this is certainly new to me, never thought of a link with it. Thanks a lot for your insights and the book reference, truly valuable information! ------------------------------ Rita Udina Book & Paper Conservator Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent Barcelona Spain Original Message: Sent: 10-05-2025 08:25 From: Sabine Protze Subject: OnionSkin paper Dear Rita, thank you for your research! Indeed "Florpostpapier" described Kotte, Hans as "onion skin or in french pelure d'oignon (Littré). To me the question is how to distinguish onion skin from air-mail paper when there is no watermark present? … Furthermore E.J. Labarre in "A dictionary of paper an paper-making terms" printed in 1937 mentioned "onion skin" in connection with "foreign" or "bank"; these are all thin papers of high quality fibres made for permanent records where small volume is desirable or duplicating purposes. Paper-making terms are sometimes a bit confusing…. Best regards, Sabine Protze paper and photo conservator, Berlin Original Message: Sent: 10/3/2025 6:20:00 AM From: Rita Udina Subject: OnionSkin paper Dear colleagues, I recently had to restore a print on onion skin paper, and in the process I found myself wondering whether it should be considered a type of tracing paper or not. While looking into this, I came across some historical and technical aspects that might be of interest to share with you. I'd be very glad to hear your views and experiences on this material. Onion skin paper: History, Uses, Composition and Conservation <https://www.ritaudina.com/en/2025/02/18/onion-skin-paper-history-composition-and-conservation/> Kind regards, Rita Udina Book an Paper Conservation C. Sant Pere, 24 08330 – Premià de Mar (Barcelona, SPAIN) +34 937548880 https://ritaudina.com <https://ritaudina.com> ------------------------------ Rita Udina Book & Paper Conservator Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent Barcelona Spain ------------------------------ 2.From: Emma Le Cornu Posted: Thursday October 9, 2025 7:17 AM Subject: Icon BPG25 Conference, last chance to book: in-person 12th October, online 17th October 2025 Message: 'Conservation Uncovered: Investigation and Discovery in Treatment and Analysis' will bring together conservators, emerging professionals, and students for an engaging exploration of discoveries and innovations in book and paper conservation. With less than two weeks to go, it's your last chance to register! Book here until 12th October for in person and 17th October for online attendance: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html> Don't forget to book your place on the exclusive tours, deadline 12th October. Book here: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-in-person-tours.html <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-in-person-tours.html> This hybrid conference, hosted at The National Archives, Kew, London from 22-24 October 2025, delves into how detailed investigation and analysis inform conservation decisions and enhance our understanding of collections. See the programme here: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html> Programme highlights include: Exclusive tour of The National Archives facilities Exclusive tours at various studios around London Panel discussion with the Icon Heritage Science Group Full-length talks and dynamic lightning presentations Poster presentations Evening reception for networking opportunities Keynotes from Josep Grau-Bové (UCL) and Cordelia Rogerson (British Library) Join Us: Join us either in person at The National Archives, Kew, London, or online. Book here: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/iconbpg25-conservation-uncovered-investigation-and-discovery-in-treatment-analysis.html> Follow us: Keep an eye on our social media channels to meet the speakers and find out more @iconbookandpaper #IconBPG25 ------------------------------ Emma Le Cornu Conservator (Library & Archives) Manx Museum Douglas United Kingdom ------------------------------ 3.From: Laura Chaillie Posted: Thursday October 9, 2025 7:17 AM Subject: Icon Modern Materials: Autumn Talks (2 of 4) Varnishing PVC Message: MMG Autumn Series Evaluation of varnish-layer strategies to enhance the durability of Plasticized PVC Mathilde Larrieu | Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France When trying to preserve plasticized PVC (p-PVC) objects, conservators are faced with two main degradation phenomena: a yellowing caused by the release of hydrogen chloride from the PVC chains, and the migration of plasticizers. This loss of plasticizers induces fouling in addition to a loss of flexibility that often leads to tears. This talk evaluates the addition of a varnish layer to slow down the degradation of p-PVC. Friday, 24 October, 10.00 (BST) FREE for Icon members and £10 for non. Recordings will be made available to all ticket-holders after the event. Tickets and more information available through the ICON website here: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/mmg-autumn-series-evaluation-of-varnish-layer-strategies-to-enhance-the-durability-of-plasticized-pvc.html ------------------------------ Laura Chaillie Objects Conservator London Museum London United Kingdom ------------------------------ 4.From: Matthew Hayes Posted: Thursday October 9, 2025 11:48 AM Subject: Posting for an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Objects Conservation Message: Dear colleagues, We are excited to share news of our open search for a professor of objects conservation at the Conservation Center. Please share widely, and apply! Very best wishes, Matt Hayes https://apply.interfolio.com/175143 <https://apply.interfolio.com/175143> Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Objects Conservation Institute of Fine Arts, New York University Description The Institute of Fine Arts <https://ifa.nyu.edu/> of New York University seeks applications for a full-time faculty appointment in Objects Conservation. This is an open-rank search: the appointment will be at a rank and tenure status commensurate with the successful candidate's experience and potential, guided by the ranking standards of the University as outlined below. The appointee will teach four graduate-level courses each academic year. As a full-time member of the Institute of Fine Arts faculty, the appointee will also maintain an active research program, advise and mentor students, contribute to curriculum development, and undertake administrative duties and University service. The appointee will also be interested in collaborating with the art history faculty at the Institute of Fine Arts, with colleagues within other schools at NYU and at local and regional museums. We expect all candidates to contribute to our interrelated missions of education and inclusion. Qualifications The successful candidate will hold a terminal conservation degree (PhD, MA, MS, or Advanced Certificate, depending on the program) and will have demonstrated excellence and innovation in objects conservation. Their area of specialization may lie in cultural heritage objects of any organic or inorganic materials, from any global culture or time period from prehistory to the present. Experience in teaching and training in art history are preferred. The successful candidate for Assistant Professor, tenure-track, will demonstrate a publishing record, a robust conservation practice, and experience in and/or potential for effective teaching. A minimum of three years of post-graduate practice beyond the conservation degree is required. The successful candidate for Associate Professor with tenure will have expertise in cultural heritage conservation including at least six years of post-graduate experience, demonstrate a substantial research and publication record, give evidence of active research, and will have a minimum of six years of university teaching in conservation or a related field, preferably at the graduate level. The successful candidate for Full Professor with tenure will have a significant, internationally recognized research and publication record, a research agenda, a minimum of ten years of university-based conservation teaching, preferably at the graduate level, and will hold tenure from their university or the equivalent. Additionally, the Full Professor must have substantial experience in administration, receiving external funding, and directing grant-funded programs. The start date for the position is September 1st, 2026. For more information about the Institute of Fine Arts, see: ifa.nyu.edu <https://ifa.nyu.edu/index.html> Salary range for Assistant Professor, tenure-track is $90,000-$140,000 Salary range for Associate Professor with tenure is $100,000-$150,000 Salary range for Full Professor with tenure is $135,000-$225,000 Please note that employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. Application Instructions The application deadline is December 15, 2025. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, a one-page statement describing research interests and teaching experience, a copy of published research (one article or book chapter), a sample syllabus, and a list of three referees and their contact information (letters are not required at this time). Use the Interfolio link to submit application to search committee chair Finbarr Barry Flood, William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of the Humanities and Acting Deputy Director, Institute of Fine Arts. https://apply.interfolio.com/175143 <https://apply.interfolio.com/175143> Equal Employment Opportunity Statement For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr <http://www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr> NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. Sustainability Statement NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability ------------------------------ Matthew Hayes, PhD Assistant Professor of Paintings Conservation and Co-Chair Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University 14 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10075 [email protected] ------------------------------ 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.
