Preserving Handwritten Manuscripts
LIBR 259
9 December 2000
Often, a significant portion of a library or archival collection is made up of handwritten manuscripts. As with any other materials of historical importance, steps must be taken to preserve these manuscripts. This Web page will outline some of the basic preservation techniques that should be applied to these materials. This will be done in the context of reviewing the content of several Online preservation resources.
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) has created an Online pamphlet entitled Basic Guidelines for the Care of Special Collections that provides a basic introduction to general preservation principles for all types of materials.
Although intended as an overview of special collections in general, much of the information given is relevant to handwritten manuscripts. For example, both paper and ink tend to be organic materials, made from animals or plants, and "these materials are more susceptible to environmental damage than their inorganic counterparts." Typically, excessive exposure to light may cause paper to yellow and ink to fade, while fluctuations in humidity may cause molds and fungi to grow.
The recommendations for preservation given in this Online resource constitute the familiar mantra of the preservationist; limit exposure to light, especially ultraviolet (UV) and control carefully the temperature and humidity.
Some other common sources of damage to manuscripts are also discussed. One is air pollution, which exposes materials to harmful chemical contaminants. Another is infestation by pests, and a third is the improper handling and/or display of materials.
The AIC makes the following recommendations for preserving Special Collections:
For more detailed information, please visit Basic Guidelines for the Care of Special Collections
Another useful Online resource for the preservation of handwritten manuscripts comes from the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. It is the Archival Processing Manual, which contains the instructions and procedures for preparing new acquisitions that are used by the staff of the library.
Of particular interest is Chapter IX. Conservation, which outlines the library's procedure for processing new materials. The manual provides many instructions but few explanations, so occasional attempts have been made here to surmise some of the reasoning behind the procedures.
According to Chapter IX, the first thing to do is freeze the new materials, presumably to destroy any lingering mold or pesky insects. Secondly staples, paper clips, and similar metal fasteners are removed, probably because of the damage that the oxidation of such materials can cause.
Organic materials (pressed plants and flowers, not ink and paper) are to be removed and document surfaces may be cleaned with soft brushes, and then items are to be placed in archival folders for storage.
Particularly brittle or acidic materials become candidates for preservation photocopying.
Items that have "significant monetary and/or research value" or that exhibit "an immediate risk of text or image loss if handled" are automatically considered for conservation, either in-house or by outside conservators.
For more detailed information, see the Archival Processing Manual.
The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village provides a very detailed Online resource that is relevant to handwritten manuscripts. The Care and Preservation of Archival Materials covers document preservation in significant detail.
The resource is divided into two sections; one covers the elimination of conditions that cause damage and the other provides basic guidelines for the handling, cleaning, and care of materials.
There is also a brief but thorough discourse on the history and construction of paper, and a somewhat more brief description of the media used to create various types of writing on that paper, including pencil, chalk, and ink.
Factors that cause damage to handwritten manuscripts include "careless handling, poor environment, inappropriate storage, exhibition or framing, and improper cleaning and/or conservation." The recommendations given again echo the familiar mantra; limit UV exposure and control temperature and humidity.
This resource does recommend that professional conservators handle extensive cleaning and repair, however the following in-house procedures are outlined in some detail:
For more detailed information, please consult The Care and Preservation of Archival Materials
- The following Web sites also contain information relevant to the preservation of handwritten manuscripts:
Conservation Links, from The Getty Conservation Institute
The Northeast Document Conservation Center