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  • 1.  Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-20-2021 08:06
    Hi all,

    In the mammal department at the Harvard MCZ, we have about 50 specimens from one collector (B. Bjorkegren) that have original tags fashioned out of bamboo. These date back to the late 1930's when he collected mammals in northern Vietnam. Unfortunately, seeing as most of these tags are tied to animal skins, they get jostled a lot while moving specimens, and the surface of these tags has become eroded, with the outer layer of the bamboo chipping away to reveal the unmarked pith below. This makes it difficult to read any original data on the tags, as the outer layer was the part that was written on. We've been able to use a blacklight to sucessfully reveal some of the eroded writing, but we're hoping to prevent the further degradation of the tags. I'm not sure what type of ink was used to record data on these tags, but it was probably India ink. 

    Does anyone have experience with this sort of issue, or with the conservation of bamboo? I'm hoping that a thin coat of paraloid B-72 is the answer, but this sort of material conservation is not my usual wheelhouse...

    Thanks,
    Madeleine

    ------------------------------
    Madeleine Mullon
    Curatorial Assistant
    Museum of Comparative Zoology
    Cambridge MA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-23-2021 13:31
    Hello Madeleine,

    Thanks for posting to the C2C Care Community. My name is Victoria, and I'm acting as the C2C Care Monitor this week.

    Can you post a picture of a tag for reference? At this point, I am not certain I can recommend applying a coating of B-72 to the tags. My concern would be that it may actually darken the surface or fail to permeate due to the slick nature of bamboo's surface. Additionally, if the B-72 bubbles, it may further obscure the text you are looking to preserve...

    I will do some research into your question over the next few days and get back to you. Thanks again for posting to the community! I will be in touch shortly.


    Kind regards,
    Victoria

    ------------------------------
    Victoria Kablys
    Conservator
    Royal Saskatchewan Museum
    Regina SK
    (306) 787-2667
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-24-2021 10:04
    Hi Madeleine, 

    While Victoria does some sleuthing to look into your question, I'd like to point out that in the Natural Science Collections Conservation Lab at the AMNH, we had a protocol for encapsulating "old" tags in mylar for protection. I would think that the bamboo would be thin enough for this to work for them, as well. We had access to equipment that could heat seal the edges of mylar sheets, allowing us to customize the size. (There's a book and paper conservation lab in the special collections of AMNH.) 

    If you would have access to a heat sealer, or if even if you don't and you're still interested, let me know and I can see if the lab has some photos to show you what it looks like. (It's been a few years since I worked there and I unfortunately don't have any examples on my personal computer.)

    Best, 
    Fran 



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-27-2021 12:00

    Hi again,

    Great suggestion, Fran!

    In regards to the choice of coating... I think Paraloid B-72 may work, but it would depend on the solvent it is mixed it. Will you be using prepared Paraloid B-72 (likely mixed in acetone), or will you be mixing it yourself? Lascaux 498 may give better results, and may be more suitable for bamboo. It will not discolour and will dry clear. 

    I would suggest that regardless of what coating you want to go with execute a small spot test first in a discreet area with a small amount of ink present to ensure that the coating meets your needs (i.e. dries clear, doesn't darken the bamboo, doesn't obscure the text you are trying to preserve, doesn't cause the ink to smudge or smear when applied). Wait until the coating is fully cured to make your decision (~24hrs).

    Kind regards,
    Victoria



    ------------------------------
    Victoria Kablys
    Conservator
    Royal Saskatchewan Museum
    Regina SK
    (306) 787-2667
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-27-2021 20:07
    Hi all,

    I was finally able to take and upload some photos of the type of tag in question, included below. My apologies if the lighting is poor, as they were taken a bit hastily. I included a front view, where the degraded writing is, and a side/oblique view so that you can sort of see how the thin veneer-like outer layer is lifting away from the pith. I try not to touch that side at all, because I worry that any contact will cause it to chip more. We regularly encapsulate old or damaged tags in mylar here as well, but I worry that even friction with the mylar might damage the surface more. Additionally, the tag is somewhat thick (~3mm at thickest), and the surface with the writing is curved (the back is flat). 

    Thank you for your suggestions, Victoria. If using B-72, I would be mixing it with acetone, yes. I have an old mixture someone else made awhile back here with me that I did a small spot test with, and while it does not seem to have damaged the tag or any ink, the viscosity of it tends to produce bubbles. I could dilute it further, or mix a fresh batch. Is there a solvent that would be preferable to acetone? I will look into the Lascaux 498 as well!

    Thank you both for your replies and suggestions!

    Best,
    Madeleine

    A specimen tag made of bamboo. It is viewed from a side/oblique angle, and a thin veneer can be seen lifting away from the wood. There is a white ruler in the background.
    A specimen tag made of bamboo with a white ruler above. The tag is notched and drilled with a string for attachment to a skin. There is writing on it in black ink that is largely illegible and degraded.


    ------------------------------
    Madeleine Mullon
    Curatorial Assistant
    Museum of Comparative Zoology
    Cambridge MA
    (617) 495-2469
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Conserving bamboo tags?

    Posted 09-28-2021 12:49

    Hi again,

    I would recommend mixing a fresh batch of the B-72 before using it on the tags. Further dilution of existing can make it difficult to replicate and ensure consistent use of the same mixture across all tags, this being especially important if you find a concentration that works best for this material. To reduce bubbling, try mixing the B-72 in an 80/20 acetone/ethanol mixture. This should help mitigate any bubbling and stringiness.

    Kind regards,

    Victoria



    ------------------------------
    Victoria Kablys
    Conservator
    Royal Saskatchewan Museum
    Regina SK
    (306) 787-2667
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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