UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum Ruined Document

Hello,

I have a simple Maintenance document that was signed by Rommel.

The problem is it came into contact with a German canteen which the person I bought it from went through great pains to preserve the leather and wool. He preserved it by coating it with what I believe is linseed oil.

The short story is some of the oil leached into the paper (about 50%).

I'm looking for a way to remove the "oil" without damaging the document. I have considered baking soda or finely crushed unscented cat litter.

ANY help provided would greatly be appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike

Maybe but not a recommendation because it is used for removing oil from gunstocks:
Brownells Whiting……..

There are commercial companies that do document restoration, I would run a search online. Another resource is museum curators. You might try the Smithsonian or your local museum to see if they have any recommendations. I hope this helps. Joe S

what couldn't hurt is to try to leech that oil onto something else. It works to a degree,,sometimes very well..
Acid free paper is used,,no pressing involved... Best bet if you've never done something like that is to find your conservator near your local,,try yellow pages or Internet,,they are on there!