Map desperation

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have just been given a 1:80 000 map of arras-Cambrai printed by the AOK17 in August 1918.

it is pretty well worn (and large) and rather fragile. I do not think it will last long being folded and unfolded.

Should I glue it to a backing and cover it in plastic?

Help! How do I save this map !!

[CROONAERT]

Should I glue it to a backing and cover it in plastic?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's one option (but be careful about what glue you use - some can be harmful to the paper). I've heard of some collectors using some sort of silica spray to preserve theirs, but, personally, I usually get a copy made of the original and use this when I need it, leaving the original well alone.

Dave.

[Piscator]

I have just been given a 1:80 000 map of arras-Cambrai printed by the AOK17 in August 1918.

it is pretty well worn (and large) and rather fragile. I do not think it will last long being folded and unfolded.

Should I glue it to a backing and cover it in plastic?

Help! How do I save this map !!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chris,

Try a bookbinders who specialise in old books, the materials they use would be suitable for you purpose, but to use it have a copy made as Dave suggested, I used to work at an old manor in Kent who had people come to repair books in their library thats how I know.

Len

[healdav]

You could also have a talk to a picture framer. Some of them will mount documents/maps/pictures, etc as well.

I have one old map that a picture framer (in the South of France, so not much good to you) cut and mounted on a folding card frame so that I can use it as a display and then put it away.

It wasn't cheap, but better than wrecking the original.

Copying is a possibility depending on how big it is, but it is better to ask a proper copy shop to do it for you if it is bigger than A3 (the biggest size for ordinary photcopiers) as they may be able to handle up to A1 or bigger. The problem with photocopying a piece at a time is that even with every care the photocopy rarely if ever matches exactly the original - paper stretches, and so on.

A3 size will colour copy quite easily - I have a set of 17th century maps that I copied to avoid using the originals and they came out beautifully. Of course, you have to do each sheet separately - no automatic feed - so it can take a long time to do a lot of sheets.