-------- Original Message --------
Subject: cloth maps
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 09:05:59 -0500
From: Kit Goodwin <[log in to unmask]>
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>

Dear Johnnie,

We here in the Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library have
several of
the cloth maps....mostly silk ones from WWII. I can tell you how we have
handled them and why, but not sure this will work for your respository.

We deal with antiquarian maps and are concerned with preservation and
conservation issues. We want these items to be available for our users
for
the next two hundred years-at least. We are a new world repository and
our
oldest item dates from 1493. Our map rooms are temperature, humidily,
and
light controlled and the materials are stored in acid free environments.

Obviously, we do not want our silk maps handled due to the transfer of
dirt
and oils from hands to the items. Such dirt and oils will darken and
eventually destroy the silk and other cloth backing. We do not believe
the
actual physical contact with the maps  is in anyway preferable for
research
and study. Consequently, our silk maps are flatten, then sandwiched
between
two sheets of polyester sheeting (Mylar) that have been cut about 1 inch
larger than the dimensions of the map. Prior to inserting the map
between
the sheets, we then use a hole punch to place a series of holes in both
sheets about 1 inch inside the the outside perimeter and about two
inches
apart. The silk map is then place evenly between the sheets and silk
thread
is used to sew a running stitch enclosing the map within the polyester
sheeting...in essence, sewing the map within the sheets. The maps are
then
place in acid free folders and assigned a drawer location. The accession
number and the drawer assignment combine to provide us with a map "call
number" for cataloging.

We feel our researchers can use the maps in the same way as the paper
based
cartographic items and for the same reason, we encapsulate paper
maps--to
allow the support and handling of the physical matter--we 'encapsulate'
the
silk maps. The maps are held safely in the polyester sheeting and all
the
information on the map, both front and back, is useable for the
researcher.
It can be photocopied and handled in the sheeting, so the researcher can
have a copy to take home if needed.

Good luck on finding a way to allow yur researcher to physically handle
the
maps and safe guard them as well.

Regards,
Kit Goodwin

Katherine R. Goodwin
Cartographic Archivist
Special Collections, UTA Libraries
Box 19497
Arlington, TX 76019-0497
Voice: 817-272-5329
Fax: 817-272-3360
E-mail: [log in to unmask]