Stabilisation of iron gall ink containing paper

Objective

The world's libraries, archive and museums are faced with the immense problem of preserving countless documents, endangered by the corrosive properties of their on gall ink. A non-aqueous conservation method, enabling massive approach, treatment of bound volumes and water sensitive items is desperately searched for. This project aims at development of a new non-aqueous paper stabilisation treatment based on a combined action of alkali and antioxidants. The effect of preventive antioxidants as well as chain-breaking ones will be studied using state-of-the-art experimental and analytical techniques. In addition to establishing better conservation practices, enabling preservation and undisturbed access to the numerous artefacts threatened by ink corrosion, the project will substantially increase present knowledge of ink compositions, oxidation mechanisms as well as offer new analytical methodology.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-4. - Key action City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATIONAL AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF SLOVENIA

Address

Turjaska 1
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia

Participants (7)

ALGEMEEN RIJKSARCHIEF

Netherlands

Address

Prins Willem - Alexanderhof 20
2595 BE Den Haag ('S-gravenhage)

JOZEF STEFAN INSTITUTE

Slovenia

Address

Jamova 39
1001 Ljubljana

MUSEE DU LOUVRE

France

Address

Quai Du Louvre 34-36
75058 Paris

NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE

Netherlands

Address

Gabriel Metsusstraat 16
1070 KA Amsterdam

TEYLERS MUSEUM

Netherlands

Address

Spaarne 16
2011 CH Haarlem

UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA

Slovenia

Address

Askerceva 5
1000 Ljubljana

ZENTRUM FUER BUCHERHALTUNG GMBH

Germany

Address

Mommenstrasse 7
04329 Leipzig