Handling Original Documents/ correspondence.

[jhmanahan]

Re: Handling Original Documents/ correspondence.

As an NPS museum technician, I agree that washing one's hands with a scent-free and bleach-free soap is the best practice. This enables you to maintain all of the dexterity in your fingers while protecting the document as thoroughly as possible. And by all means, do not store a document folded for any longer than is necessary. Just because it held up for 140 years folded does not mean it will survive another 140 that way. Indeed, it will not. And as far as using alcohol and hand sanitizer goes: no. There is no need to use it right after washing your hands ... and if you think your hands are dirty after handling a few documents, then they probably are. Take the time to rewash your hands; don't 'cheat' and use hand sanitizer.

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: Handling Original Documents/ correspondence.

One of the reasons that handling techniques for original documents and textiles are very similar is that basically, they are both made of the same material. Paper of this era was not made from wood pulp fibers, but from cloth. It is 100% rag content paper, and therefore is basically recycled cloth.

Agree with everyone else, keep it flat and unfolded if possible. If light hits it, the ink will rust faster. by this I mean that most writing inks of the period contain iron sulphate, and over time the iron rusts. This is why what was once black is now brown, and also why many folks think that there was a preponderance of brown ink. Not the case. Black ink was plentiful, easy to obtain, and, over time, will rust and turn brown.

[john duffer]

Re: Handling Original Documents/ correspondence.

Only slightly off topic - about 1999 I was with the 1st Tennessee, Rock City Guards, portraying Coleman's Scouts in an update of the Sam Davis Home's museum movie. While filming I was handed a letter to deliver and stuffed it in my jacket when a very concerned gentleman rushed over to say "That's an original !!!". Thank goodness there was no damage done but probably not the way to handle an original document.

[toptimlrd]

Re: Handling Original Documents/ correspondence.

John,

I am more shocked they used an original document as a prop, I like you would have presumed it to be a reproduction. My question is "what were THEY thinking?"