Thematic Network of Metals in Paper (MEEP)
The thematic network MEEP (de los metals en el papel) is a forum preferably for Hispanic and Portuguese speakers as well as for other languages. It was created in April 2006 after a training carried out at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The objective of this thematic network is to share and disseminate knowledge of paper conservation (e.g. cellulose and materials with cellulose and lignin) and parchment, degradation and preservation of the objects affected by transition metals contained in the iron gall ink, methods of alkalinisation and stabilization of collections and other issues of active and passive conservation.
In recent years has been added to this forum topics of photographs conservation, risk management (also referred to in the literature of conservation in Spanish as “análisis de riesgos” and/or “gestión de riesgos”), disaster management, emergency plans, collections preservation management, information regarding fund-raising, grants, and scholarships available for conferences and/or trainings, professional development workshops, and information of interest in our field among others.
There are also other two forums that often provide information that are the following: Grupo CHISPA from London, England with the Moderator/ Coordinator Víctor Hugo López Borges, Sculptures Conservator from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A) and Escola SENAI "Theobaldo de Nigris" - Edução e Tecnologia (National Service for Industrial Apprentices) of São Paulo, in Brazil with the Moderator / Coordinator Fernanda Mokdessi Auada paper conservator responsible of the conservation laboratory of NUCLEM-SENAI.
Iron and copper have given many problems to conservators, curators and keepers in charge of caring for collections for several centuries. Approaches from different archives, libraries and museums are reflecting a variety of circumstances and perspectives on this problem. Iron gall ink has deteriorated important original documents in cultural heritage becoming in unreadable fragments. Unfortunately, this material generally may not be able to get recovered and reconstructed. Blue and green pigments of copper have caused entire sections to be lost in image areas with unstable colors (which are usually found in objects or pages of books or artworks); both discoloration and change of colors on the inks and paintings’ methods or holes in the brackets of paper and parchment.
Over the years, research has tried to understand the causes and point out possible solutions, but still a choice for treatment on item level and mass stabilization of material in state of corrosion have not be found yet. So far, it has been shown scientifically that deacidificacion and/or alkalinisation help but does not stop the corrosion of metals. If iron (II) or copper (II) ions are present on an acidic paper support containing iron gall ink is in an active corrosive state and the degradation will be increased by contact with the agents of deterioration such as pollutants in the air as well as temperature and relative humidity changes.
I would like to invite other colleagues interested in the preservation of material affected by metals in paper. Please send me the name (s), information (occupation, organization, and address) and e-mail (s) that will be / n included (s) in the forum. Furthermore, am wishing yours an effective work in the forum of camaraderie and co-operation that will be the key to safeguard our Cultural Heritage in the Americas.
Valeria Orlandini, Coordinator/ Moderator of Thematic Network MEEP (de los metales en el papel) of South and Central America and the Caribbean Islands, Conservator of Works on Paper, Parchment and Photographs, Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S.A.
E-mail: Thematic Network MEEP - Orlandini meep.network@gmail.com