Repairing a document

Here are the steps we go through when preserving documents that have been damaged.

1. This 16th century parchment deed has a large hole in it, probably caused by a rodent. If this hole is left untreated, the surrounding area could start tearing.

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2. A repair is carefully traced out on repair parchment.

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3. The overlap of the repair is pared down until it is transparent and flexible.

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4. The repair is stuck down with gelatine. The gelatine must be used at a temperature of 50°C to 60°C. Too cold and it isn’t tacky enough, too hot and it will stain the parchment.

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5. The repair is left under a weight to ensure good adhesion.

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6. The repaired document, front.

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7. The repaired document, back.