Date completed : 17 January 2019 Duration : 144 Weeks
Ann-Marie Miller

Over the last 4 years, this ongoing conservation project was developed in consultation with RHS staff and their requirements for this incredibly interesting collection.  The aims, as outlined above, have been met using a consistent approach to conservation treatment and developing a preservation storage and boxing protocol.  

The bound items have been treated in situ, as far as possible, to avoid unnecessary interference.  The items have been surface cleaned to remove loose dirt and repaired using low moisture techniques.  The bindings have been repaired following their original structures, using the highest quality materials. The preferred method of storage for single leaf items is Fascicule pamphlets, made up to the size of the largest item, each storing approximately 30 items.  They are easily annotated in pencil if required and the benefit of several well labelled folders is that fewer items are exposed to damage from handling at one time.  They can also be accessed and/or displayed simultaneously.  For each plant hunter’s collection, bespoke, double-walled drop-back boxes have been made to ensure their safe, long term handling and preservation.   The treatment has been fully documented and copies recording the process are held by the library.

Hartweg 1.2 guarded leaves
Royal Horticultural Society Plant Hunter Collections
Royal Horticultural Society Plant Hunter Collections
Royal Horticultural Society Plant Hunter Collections
Royal Horticultural Society Plant Hunter Collections
Royal Horticultural Society Plant Hunter Collections

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