Shown here is an early 19th century town rental on parchment displaying a type of planar distortion known as cockling. Cockling can result in the loss of media (printed or manuscript text, decoration etc.) due to the distorted areas of the substrate being raised and therefore at greater risk of rubbing against anything in the surrounding area (other documents, packaging etc.). Contraction and expansion of the substrate can also destabilise media, resulting in loss. Such distortion of paper and parchment can often be improved or resolved by using controlled humidification to expand the substrate’s fibres, followed by gently drying between blotters with weight applied. Where the media is too unstable to withstand exposure to moisture, a packaging solution may be more suitable to protect the cockled document from abrasion. For example, using a deep mount will ensure there is an adequate gap between the distorted document and its surroundings, preventing any potentially-damaging contact.

C is for… #Cockling

The consequence of a wet document drying unevenly or drying whilst constrained by its surroundings (e.g. an ill-fitting frame). Flattening using a gentle treatment will ensure the surface characteristics of the substrate are preserved.

#KAconservationAtoZ