I asked a paper conservator friend your question, and this is
her reply:
I'm not sure whether blood is especially susceptible to
light damage but most organic objects are so it should be treated as light
sensitive (and, frankly, anything on paper should be treated as light sensitive
since-- you know-- paper is light sensitive). I would recommend
that he use the standard recommendations for paper objects and err on the safe
side by treating this object as "light sensitive" the same as he
would a watercolor or photograph.
From: Museum discussion
list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Bartlett
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 5:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Unusual Exhibit Conservation Question
Hey all:
I'm consulting with a museum that will be exhibiting a Vietnam era POW diary
written in blood. Got any thoughts on conserving such an object? Light levels?
Total amount of exposure? Temp and RH levels and fluctuation -- within the
usual limits, or something different? Curating blood wasn't covered in
collections class. When used as an ink, is it fugitive?
Thanks,
Dan
--
Dan Bartlett
Curator of Exhibits and Education
Instructor of Museum Studies
Logan Museum of Anthropology
Beloit College
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