[PW] A book conservation question

[Jules Siegel]

Paul Zimmerman wrote:

 > Can INK be removed from book pages without too much damage or expense?

This is a very tricky operation that is occasionally discussed on the 
book conservations lists. I recommend leaving it alone. If you attempt 
to remove it using a solvent, the ink may dissolve and stain the paper. 
This can also happen with cover-up liquids. I searched BookArts Web 
<http://www.philobiblon.com/> (bottom of left hand column) on removing 
ink from paper < http://tinyurl.com/584t3j> and got some possibly useful 
answers.

Here's one, inspired by an uninvited signature in a guest book:

<http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/1998/1558.html>
Removing ball-point pen ink--Conservation DistList

Our solution to the problem was to use a mini sandblaster (Mikromat 100) 
and blow the powder almost parallel to the paper surface. This removed 
the signature. The paper surface always suffer from such a treatment, as 
paper fibres also are removed, but now our young guest is evident more 
as a blind impression in the paper, than as a signature.

-- 
JULES SIEGEL Apdo. 1764, 77501-Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico
http://www.cafecancun.com/bookarts

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