Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. IAP Virtual seminar: Pigment identification – visual examination and polarised light microscopy 2. AICCM National Conference 2025 - Full program available and Early bird registrations closing soon 3. RE: Testing for the presence of blood on textile 4. 1st Call for Abstracts for the international Associazione Italiana Colore (AIC) 2026 Midterm Meeting, Florence (Italy) September 2026 5. RE: Sustainable surface protection for work benches 6. RE: OnionSkin paper 7. Opportunity at the Morgan Library & Museum -- Assistant Book Conservator 8. ISCMP Mural Painting Education Survey 9. FRAME: Concept, History and Conservation, Symposium 3 - DEADLINE EXTENTION TO 30TH OCTOBER 2025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: James Black Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:06 AM Subject: IAP Virtual seminar: Pigment identification – visual examination and polarised light microscopy Message: Pigment identification – visual examination and polarised light microscopy Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025 Tutor: Tracey Chaplin Price: £25.00 Platform: Zoom Time: This seminar will start at 3pm BST There will be a 55 minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of discussion. Please register on Eventbrite. <https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1693324943489?aff=oddtdtcreator> This virtual seminar (the third in a series* of 4 virtual seminars on the History and Identification of Pigments to be offered in October) on Zoom introduces the techniques involved in identifying pigments visually with the aid of a polarising light microscope. The different optical properties of pigments observable with the microscope will be described and demonstrated and methods by which the observed properties can then be used (either directly or from microscopic samples) to identify pigments found on decorative surfaces will be discussed. *This series of seminars is intended to appeal to all conservators and others who would like to refresh their knowledge on the subject and also to students of conservation. Tracey Chaplin is an Independent Scientific Consultant specialising in analysis and identification of artists’ materials and their degradation products on objects such as paintings, sculpture, furniture, manuscripts, wallpaper, textiles and architectural elements. This includes the application of microscopy, cross-sectional analysis, spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Tracey lectures in conservation science at the City and Guilds of London Art School, has published extensively and is one of four authors of The Pigment Compendium. ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ James Black Co-ordinator International Academic Projects London www.academicprojects.co.uk ------------------------------ 2.From: Rachel Spano Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:06 AM Subject: AICCM National Conference 2025 - Full program available and Early bird registrations closing soon Message: Early-Bird Registrations are closing soon for the AICCM National Conference! >From 1214 November, more than 140 presenters from across Australia and the >world will gather at the State Library of Queensland to explore More than >Materials: Collaborative approaches in Cultural Heritage Conservation. The program features keynotes and discussions with leading artists and artworkers including Archie Moore, Ellie Buttrose, Maree Clarke, Mitch Mahoney, Shevaun Wright and Dr Zoe Rimmer - alongside panels, workshops and presentations addressing the future of conservation. Co-curated with First Nations partners including Caroline Martin of Yalukit Marnang Consultancy, the conference will open up bold conversations about collaboration, responsibility and cultural practice today. Discover the full program and register on our website now https://aiccm.org.au/aiccm-conference-2025 Plus, time's running out for Early Bird registrations. Secure your place before Oct 14 and save. Virtual registrations are also available if you can't make it in person and is the first AICCM National Conference to be recorded. Presentations, including digital posters, will be accessible to registered delegates post event. It's an affordable and accessible way to participate. Thank you for your support - we look forward to seeing you in November! Rachel and Anne, AICCM 2025 Annual Conference Organising Committee >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> See what is happening at the State Library of Queensland... >>>>> >>>>> http://resources.slq.qld.gov.au/email/email_banner.jpg >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/current_campaign> Disclaimer This e-mail, together with any attachments, is intended for the named recipient(s) only. This e-mail may contain information which is confidential, of a private nature or which is subject to legal professional privilege or copyright. Accordingly, any form of disclosure, modification, distribution and/or publication of this email message is prohibited unless expressly authorised by the sender acting with the authority of or on behalf of the Library Board of Queensland. If you have received this email by mistake, please inform the sender as soon as possible and delete the message and any copies of this message from your computer system network. The confidentiality, privacy or legal professional privilege attached to this email is not waived or destroyed by that mistake. The State Library of Queensland uses virus scanning software. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that this email does not contain and is not infected by a computer virus. Unless expressly attributed, the views expressed in this email do not necessarily represent the views of the Library Board of Queensland. ref:xxxx42xfzt ref:68ga42xfzt 3.From: Moira Bertasa Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:06 AM Subject: RE: Testing for the presence of blood on textile Message: Hi Roger, I'm sure you and your colleagues have already considered this - is the textile cellulose-based, like cotton or linen? If it is, FTIR could potentially detect the blood protein, if the stain is sufficiently thick. If not, you might need a longer scan, and with some luck, you could detect very weak amine bands. Maybe Raman as well. All the best, moira ------------------------------ Moira Bertasa Heritage Scientist Historic Royal Palaces Surrey United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 10-02-2025 10:45 From: Roger Williams Subject: Testing for the presence of blood on textile Hi everyone, We have a textile war relic in our collection that exhibits stains, which a curator suspects may be blood. We are considering conducting a test to confirm whether or not this is true. While I am aware of various forensic tests for IDing blood (and we have a faculty member on campus who is a forensic specialist), I am wondering if anyone out there has conducted such tests in a collections context, specifically on textiles. I would also be interested in hearing about any ethical discussions anyone may have had concerning such testing, as well as the use and display of bloodied collections. Many thanks, Roger ------------------------------ Roger Williams Head of Libraries Conservation Brown University Library Providence United States ------------------------------ 4.From: Eva Angelin Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:10 AM Subject: 1st Call for Abstracts for the international Associazione Italiana Colore (AIC) 2026 Midterm Meeting, Florence (Italy) September 2026 Message: Dear Friends/Colleagues, I am pleased to share with you the Call for Abstracts for the international AIC 2026 Midterm Meeting organized by the Gruppo del Colore – Associazione Italiana Colore in Florence, Italy on 3-4 September 2026. Please feel free to share the attached CFA with your networks. For more information about the convening, please see: <https://www.aic2026.org/>AIC2026 - Home <https://www.aic2026.org/> Aic 2026 remove preview <https://www.aic2026.org/> AIC2026 - Home Welcome to the official website of AIC2026. Learn more about the upcoming Midterm Meeting in Florence, Italy, and how to participate. View this on Aic 2026 > <https://www.aic2026.org/> Best regards ------------------------------ --- Eva Mariasole Angelin, Ph.D. Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / Research Associate Technische Universität München / Technical University of Munich TUM School of Engineering and Design Lehrstuhl für Restaurierung, Kunsttechnologie und Konservierungswissenschaft / Chair of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science Oettingenstr. 15 80538 München [email protected] www.ar.tum.de/rkk ------------------------------ 5.From: Wilma Bouwmeester Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:11 AM Subject: RE: Sustainable surface protection for work benches Message: When researching making a plan chest that would also function as a work bench, I found advice to cover the top with glass, in the form of a no longer used shower panel/screen. They have polished edges and are smooth and easy to clean. I was able to source one via a post on a local exchange platform - free of charge and owner was delighted it got a new use! You could also approach a local plumber with a request to keep you one when they refurbish a shower area. Wilma Bouwmeester ACR Sustainable Heritage Conservation The Coach House Spitalhaugh WEST LINTON EH46 7BH 07739 988087 Standard working days Mon-Thu Please consider the environment before printing this email. ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 10/2/2025 4:43:00 AM From: Arianne Panton Subject: Sustainable surface protection for work benches Hi everyone, We have been lucky enough to purchase some new work benches for our studio and are keen to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. We often have heavy objects on our benches and items that can scratch, so are looking for sustainable options for suitable protection. It would be great to hear what others are using (we are based in the UK). Best wishes, Arianne ------------------------------ Arianne Panton ACR Manager of Conservation & Research The Leather Conservation Centre Canopy Duke Street Leicester LE1 6WB ------------------------------ 6.From: Rita Udina Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 8:12 AM Subject: RE: OnionSkin paper Message: 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 ------------------------------ 7.From: Maria Fredericks Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 6:26 PM Subject: Opportunity at the Morgan Library & Museum -- Assistant Book Conservator Message: Apply online here <https://www.themorgan.org/opportunities/employment/assistant-book-conservator> The Morgan Library & Museum invites applications for the position of Assistant Book Conservator. The successful candidate will join a small department of experienced conservators and preparators who care for the Morgan's exceptional and varied collections, including ancient papyri, manuscripts on paper and parchment, photographs, master drawings and prints, modern and contemporary drawings and prints; rare bound materials including manuscripts, printed books, sketchbooks and albums. Working collegially across many departments, the Assistant Book Conservator will support the Morgan's mission to preserve, interpret and develop its collections, while making them accessible to a broad and diverse audience. ResponsibilitiesReporting to the Sherman Fairchild Head of Conservation, and working closely with the Drue Heinz Book Conservator and other conservation staff, the Assistant Book Conservator is responsible primarily for the examination, documentation, technical study, and treatment of rare books and manuscripts on paper and parchment, as well as bindings and binding structures, following the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. They will also participate in preventive conservation activities promoting safe housing, storage, handling, imaging and display of collection materials. Professional participation, research, publication, and outreach activities are encouraged, in the context of an active institutional program of exhibitions and loans. With other departmental colleagues, the incumbent will guide and facilitate the work of students, interns and post-graduate fellows. The position may involve courier travel by air and/or truck, up to several times per year. QualificationsGraduate degree (M.A., M.S.) from an established university program in conservation or equivalent training and experience, plus a minimum of 2 years post-graduate work experience in the conservation of rare books, manuscripts and bindings.Knowledge and experience of a range of simple and complex treatment options for bound materials; ability to execute appropriate treatments with accuracy and precision, as demonstrated by a portfolio.Keen observational skills, applied to the understanding and interpretation of rare books and bindings, their techniques and working methods, and the effects of past and present conservation treatments.Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of paper, parchment, leather and other binding materials, as well as the materials used to treat them; awareness of analytical or other techniques for identifying these materials and/or determining changes in them.Familiarity with digital, spectral, and other technical imaging as used in the study of historical artifacts and documentation of conservation treatments; familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Bridge and processing or RAW image files.Proficiency with Windows environment (especially Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint); ability to learn and use the Morgan's collections and information systems (Voyager, The Museum System/TMS)Understanding of and adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, including written and photographic documentationExcellent written and verbal communication skills; commitment to collegial and collaborative work across departments; demonstrated interest in professional participation and outreachAbility to work on concurrent interdepartmental projects such as exhibitions, loans and imaging initiatives, managing priorities to meet project deadlines; flexible and creative approach to problem solving; ability to work cooperatively or independently as needed.Physical requirements: Excellent level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.Ability to work standing as needed for successful completion of conservation treatments.Ability to use appropriate PPE to protect against moderate levels of dust, mold or chemicals used in treatment.Compensation$71,000 annually. Excellent benefits plan. To applyApplications received by November 7, 2025 will be given priority consideration Start date: January 2026 Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. The Morgan Library & Museum receives many applications and inquiries for employment. Unfortunately, we are not able to respond to all of them. Due to the high volume of applicants, we can contact only those candidates whose skills and background best fit our needs. Important to note: Vaccination Requirement To ensure the overall health and safety of the Morgan Library & Museum campus, all staff of the Morgan are required to be vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, absent qualifying exemptions for medical, religious, or other reasons in accordance with applicable laws. EEO Statement The Morgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Morgan provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of covered persons or their dependents), disability, height, weight, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, pre-employment arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by law. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. -- Maria FredericksSherman Fairchild Head of Conservation Thaw Conservation Center The Morgan Library & Museum 225 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016-3403www.themorgan.org <http://www.themorgan.org> phone : 212-590-0379 8.From: Teal Patterson Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 6:26 PM Subject: ISCMP Mural Painting Education Survey Message: The ICOMOS ISCMP Global Education Mapping Survey (GEMS) Working Group is excited to share its very first public survey! We are gathering insights to better understand training pathways in mural painting conservation around the world. If you are a conservator who is-or has been-involved in mural paintings, we would be grateful for your input. The survey takes only 5–10 minutes to complete. Deadline: October 15 Take the survey here: GEMS Survey Link <https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=L8LPLONgUEWZ1bvPX148XSbQV8kG8flEte0YNvgI3EhUMEswNjdKNlNWQkQzSDRTMExHSDVNSjA0Qi4u> Please also help us by sharing this survey with your networks-your support will make a difference in shaping future training opportunities in the field. Thank you for being part of this important step forward for mural painting conservation! ------------------------------ Teal Patterson Wall Painting/Built Heritage Conservator Bowen Island Canada ------------------------------ 9.From: Malgorzata Sawicki Posted: Monday October 6, 2025 6:27 PM Subject: FRAME: Concept, History and Conservation, Symposium 3 - DEADLINE EXTENTION TO 30TH OCTOBER 2025 Message: The Organizing Committee of FRAME: Concept, History and Conservation, Symposium 3 is pleased to announce that, due to overwhelming interest and high demand for deadline extensions, the abstract submission deadline has been extended to 30th October 2025. This extension provides additional time for researchers, conservators, curators, and industry professionals to submit their proposals for either 20-minute presentations (250-word abstracts) or 5-minute lightning talks (150-word abstracts) addressing frame history, conservation techniques, gilding technology, museum practice, and contemporary research methodologies. We welcome inquiries from prospective presenters wishing to discuss their abstract ideas prior to submission. For more information, please visit the conference website: FRAME: Concept, History and Conservation: Symposium 3 <https://www.framesymposium3.com/> On behalf of the Organising Committee, Dr Malgorzata Sawicki, IIC ------------------------------ Malgorzata Sawicki Conservator Gilded Wood Conservation Chatswood Australia ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. 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