Some personal experience of this.
I bought a Maltese Falcon Window Card at Sotheby's London in 97, which
I enjoyed for ten years before selling through Heritage.
Subsequent to the Sotheby's auction where it was described as
condition A, I realized the front had been stripped off and the the
back layer of card replaced.
I also spotted that illustrated on the back cover of Film Posters of
the 40s, was my same card, but prior to the work.
Same "The Rowena Fenton" at the top, though it was now barely
discernible.
Same heavy crease running down the left hand edge now appearing like a
crack.
Some discolouration, but to me, not distracting, just genuine
character, which the card now lacked.
I don't think the condition justified the work, it was cosmetic.
To me it looked far better in it's original state.
On 27 Sep 2009, at 20:10, Dario Casadei wrote:
Hi Diane,
Nothing to add except that it is well written and understood.
Also sincerely, my post was not to harm or say that what you are
doing is wrong and what I am doing is right.
I value you as a fellow restorer and friend.
Sincerely,
dario.
Diane Jeffrey wrote:
John -
I really understand your question here and concern. Let me try to
elaborate a bit more.
Window cards are made of a layer of very thin paper that the poster
is printed on. This paper is adhered to the card stock, giving it
that thickness. The really old window cards are usually pretty
beaten up. As I said they have been trimmed, but also very dirty,
moldy, and with the paper being acidic, turning brown, faded, bug
infestation, etc, etc. The only way to properly treat all of the
above problems, is to remove the backing, and treat the poster
paper by washing, deacidifying, treating mold etc., just like a
one sheet is treated and then backed. You have to treat all of the
issues to properly preserve the paper, so that it will survive the
years to come. To my knowledge, this is the best way to do this. I
know of no way to accomplish this by treating the thick card, there
is no assurance that water, chemicals, etc will penetrate the thick
card, you would have to leave it in solutions way too long, and the
paper would start to disintegrate. Adhering a layer of acid free
paper and card stock, to me, does not seem to compromise the
integrity of the card, but I suppose that can be debated.
If Dario, or anyone else has anything to add, that would be great.
We are always looking for the best way to treat and preserve these
treasures.
Diane
Studio C
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