I forward a reply from Mario Aleppo, head of the conservation department at
the Public Record Office.
Rose Mitchell
Map Archivist, Map and Picture Department, PRO
-
> The PRO has for many years used various types of bags for protecting and
> storing large rolled maps. However the quality and suitability of certain
> types used in the past is questionable by today's standards.
>
> Unbleached calico is now the preferred material for the following reasons.
> First it is a pure inert fibre, which will not affect or react with
> cellulose material. Second it is strong and durable so it will withstand
> handling, transportation and will provide adequate protection particularly
> for large or bulky rolled maps. Third it will allow the material within to
> breath, which is important if maps have previously been unprotected in a
> damp environment or are very acidic. Tracing paper is notoriously acidic
> due to its manufacture and research has shown that storing in an
> impermeable enclosure creates a microclimate which increases deterioration
> due to off gassing. Lastly as it is a natural colour if maps stored in
> these bags were affected in a disaster situation (water), although the bag
> would offer partial protection, the maps would not be damaged by staining
> of any dye.
>
> In all offices/institutions holding archive or library material storage is
> a problem, particularly large maps. What tends to happen is that maps
> stored on shelves are placed on top of each other. Maps stored in bags are
> particularly vulnerable from crushing. It is therefore recommended that if
> maps are stored in this way they should first be wrapped around a
> cardboard tube before placing in the bag.
>
> Hope this is helpful.
>
>
> Mario
>
>
> -Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001
> From: Alison Cullingford <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Bags for map storage
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Dear colleagues
>
> Can anyone offer advice on the use of calico bags for
> storing large rolled maps? We have one such map which is
> too large to be stored unrolled in our storage system. I'd
> been researching the use of storage tubes but have seen
> bags significantly cheaper. Are items more or less likely
> to be damaged by pushing them into bags rather than tubes?
> I've found plenty of map storage discussion in list
> archives but no mention of bags.
>
> Many thanks
> Alison
>
>
> **********************
> Alison Cullingford
> Special Collections Librarian
> University of Bradford
> [log in to unmask]
> +44 (0)1274-235256
> http://www.brad.ac.uk/library/special
>
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