Shown here in it's original crumpled and heavily folded state. The weak paper was beginning to give way along the fold lines and there was some ink loss. The back was first checked for sellotape repairs then the poster was immersed in a water bath to ease the folding and de-acidify the paper. After blotting it was pasted on to an acid free Japanese paper backed by the fabric, in this case Calico cotton. High grade archival paste is used throughout.
After Linen Backing
With the creases now greatly reduced the ink loss along the fold lines can be carefully retouched, mostly using a fine brush and Windsor and Newton watercolours. When thoroughly dry, the poster can be released from it's temporary backing and trimmed to leave a 1 " extra margin. It can then be safely rolled or framed .
Paper Backing in progress.
Paper backing is an economical alternative to linen backing and is appropriate for posters which are to be kept flat for framing. Not suitable for rolling. The paper used is thin Heritage acid-free board.
Retouching, before and after.
Retouching is an optional extra. Some collectors are happy to display the poster "as it is," retaining it's historical evidence of wear and tear, as long as it is linen backed for long term stability and strength. Retouching can be done at any future time, if and when it's considered necessary.