![\"Lovingly](\"https:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/thepreservationlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Map-at-Bond-Place2.jpg\")
<\/a>Lovingly cared for by Keith and Betty Stewart. Paper signs stating ” PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH” did the trick since 1996.<\/p><\/div>
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\nFast-forward to this year (2013).\u00a0 The map owners, Keith and Betty Stewart, have generously agreed to donate the map to the University of Cincinnati Libraries\u2019 Archives and Rare Books Library.\u00a0 An amazing map, in good condition, that matches the collection development priorities of the institution.\u00a0 Plans are made to have professional movers relocate the map, UC\u2019s preservation department confers with the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) on the best way to transport and frame the map, CAM recommended framers are employed to reframe and add protective glazing to the map, and wall space has been cleared and prepared to hang the map.\u00a0 A good plan, what could go wrong?
\nPerhaps I didn\u2019t mention that the map is in two section of 6\u2019 x 6\u20196\u201d and is moving to the top floor of a university building that opened in 1928.\u00a0 With no freight elevator, multiple staircases all with a clearance less than 6\u2019, and narrow doorways there is basically no way to get the map to the floor in its current condition \u2013 framed and stretched.
\nSo with heavy hearts the Preservation Librarian, Holly Prochaska, and Preservation Lab Conservator, Kathy Lechuga, removed the map sections from their stretchers, rolled them up, collapsed the pair of stretchers, and gingerly hand carried the treasure up to the 800 level of Blegen Library.\u00a0 Below is a photo narrative of the process and the happy result!
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<\/a>Now at UC – Removing Beva film originally used to stretch the map over the stretcher. Beva is heat activated \u2013 the film was in excellent shape and easily released using a tacking iron. The same existing Beva film was later used to re-adhere the map once moved.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Beva film was adhered to both the front and back of the frame. Kathy Lechuga releasing the Beva from the front after the back was released.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Holly Prochaska getting ready to roll, literally and figuratively. With the map released from stretcher, the linen backed sheets are rolled onto a supportive structure for transport.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>After the map was removed, the muslin lining was removed from two sides of the stretcher \u2013the right side and the bottom. Then the stretcher was unscrewed, top right and bottom left and collapsed, forming a large right triangle. This made the stretcher small enough for transport without disassembling the whole frame.<\/p><\/div>
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\nNow that we have the process down, let\u2019s do it again!\u00a0 The same process was completed for the second map panel.\u00a0 Total time to remove the map and collapse the frames – approximately 6 hours.
\nOnce the map sheets were transported to the 800 level of Blegen, home to the Archives and Rare Books Library, we began the process of putting them back together.
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<\/a>Putting the muslin lining back on the frame.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Getting ready to re-adhere and re-stretch the map.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Carefully placing the stretcher on top of the map.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Using tacking irons, the Beva film was reactivated and the map was re-adhered to the muslin lined stretcher. The original Beva was in most cases reactivated, very little new Beva film was necessary.<\/p><\/div>
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\nLight tension was employed to reduce some of the sagging in the map wrought by gravity.\u00a0 However, because the map was adhered to a sturdy linen using animal glues (how the map was originally purchased by the Stewarts in 1958) the map was not flexible and could not be brought taut.\u00a0
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<\/a>The map sections back together and being admired by our carpenter, Alan, and library facilities coordinator, Joe Volker.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>The oak frame after assembly with framer Bill Renschler, left, and his assistant Mark.
The frame was brought up the library disassembled and assembled onsite. The frame pieces were carried up a stairwell where the stairwell windows had to be opened and the frame pieces slipped out the window to clear the stairwells\u2019 hairpin turns.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>The unrolling of the Plexiglas, the map\u2019s new protective glazing.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>All hands on deck to roll out the Plexiglas. Kevin Grace, center, Head of the Archives and Rare Books Library.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>The frame, spacers, and glazing\u2026weighing in at a whopping 250 lbs<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Eagerly awaiting its new home.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>And here we go!<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Joining the two map sections together.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Skipping ahead a bit, voila! Dust cover and additional frame supports in place. We are now ready to hang!<\/p><\/div>
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