Omar Khalid
Antique maps are fascinating artefacts that are highly sought-after by collectors, historians, artists and academics. One of the best ways to preserve old maps is to encapsulate them in plastic. This method protects the map from damage, fading and disintegration over time. There are several factors to consider when encapsulating a map in plastic, including the type of plastic used, the condition of the map, and the storage environment. Proper preservation ensures that these historical documents remain intact and accessible for future generations to study and appreciate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Map condition | Flatten if rolled up |
| Plastic type | High-quality archival plastic film |
| Sealing | Ensure edges are properly sealed to prevent peeling |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight |
| Handling | Handle as little as possible, with clean hands or cotton gloves |
| Framing | Use archival-quality, acid-free materials |
| Scanning | Scan and save as digital files for easy storage and access |
| Storage containers | Store in archival boxes, map cases, or flat file cabinets |
| Wooden storage | Avoid old wooden cabinets, especially oak; line drawers with barrier material if necessary |
| De-acidification | Consider professional de-acidification to minimise yellowing and brittleness |
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What You'll Learn
Flatten the map
If your map is rolled up, you will need to flatten it out as much as you can before encapsulating it in plastic. Here are some methods to flatten a rolled-up map:
Reroll the map in the opposite direction
Lay your map on a clean, flat surface, such as a table or desk. Roll the map in the opposite direction of the curl and hold it in place with rubber bands. You can also place the map facedown, as they usually curl inwards and over the image.
Humidify the map
Gently humidifying the map can help loosen delicate maps. Store the map above water in a sealed tub for a few hours. The moisture absorption will help loosen the curl.
Weigh down the map
Lay the map flat and cover it with heavy objects such as books, which distribute weight evenly.
Roll the map around a cardboard tube
Place a cardboard tube, such as a toilet paper roll, at one end of the map. Align the tube in the centre of one end of the map and roll the map around the tube.
Once your map is flattened, make sure to handle it with care. Avoid direct sunlight, store it in a cool, dry place, and handle it with clean hands to avoid any stains or discolouration.
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Use archival-quality plastic
If you're looking to preserve old maps in plastic, using archival-quality plastic is a must. This type of plastic is designed specifically for the long-term protection and preservation of valuable documents, ensuring they remain intact and well-protected for many years to come.
Archival-quality plastic film is a high-quality option that can protect your maps from damage, fading, and the effects of ageing. It is important to choose a plastic that is inert and stable, with no surface coatings that could react with inks or paper ingredients. The material should also be free of additives such as plasticizers, antioxidants, or UV inhibitors, as these could impact the preservation process.
When selecting archival-quality plastic, opt for a strong and uniform option that will provide ample protection for your maps. One example is the archival polyester sleeve, which is commonly used by museums and rare book libraries to safeguard their precious vintage maps. These sleeves are made from uncoated film, ensuring no reaction with the map, and are slightly larger than the maps they protect, allowing for easy insertion and removal. The film surface is highly polished, providing excellent clarity and allowing for maps to be viewed and even scanned without removal from the sleeve.
Another factor to consider is the size of the archival plastic. Ensure that the plastic is large enough to accommodate your maps comfortably. For example, Purple Lizard offers archival-quality map sleeves that are 4.5 x 10 inches, with a resealable adhesive strip. These sleeves can be left open to accommodate longer maps, or closed to securely store maps up to 9.75 inches in length.
By using archival-quality plastic, you can effectively preserve your old maps, protecting them from damage, fading, and the degrading effects of light, moisture, and handling. This method ensures that your maps remain in optimal condition for years to come.
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Seal the edges
Sealing the edges of the plastic is a crucial step in preserving old maps through plastic encapsulation. This process involves sealing the edges of the plastic film to prevent the film from peeling away and ensure the map is protected. Here are some detailed instructions for sealing the edges:
Firstly, ensure you have selected a high-quality plastic film designed for archival use. Polyester film, also known as Melinex, is an excellent option for map preservation as it provides excellent protection during handling. The film should be slightly larger than the map to allow for proper encapsulation.
The next step is to place the map between two sheets of the plastic film, creating a sandwich-like structure. Make sure the map is as flat as possible before encapsulation. If it was previously rolled up, take the time to flatten it out before proceeding.
Now, it's time to seal the edges. There are two common methods for sealing the edges of plastic film: ultrasonic welding and heat welding. Ultrasonic welding uses high-frequency sound waves to create a strong seal by vibrating the molecules of the plastic film. This method can be very effective, but it requires specialized equipment that may not be easily accessible. The other option is to use a heat welder, which melts the plastic along the edges to create a secure seal. This method is more accessible and can be done with a variety of heat sources, but it requires caution to avoid damaging the map with excessive heat.
After sealing the edges, inspect the encapsulation to ensure it is secure and there are no gaps or openings. A properly encapsulated map will have sealed edges that protect the map from external elements and prevent the film from peeling away.
Finally, allow the plastic to cool down and set, if applicable, depending on the sealing method used. Your old map is now preserved in plastic and protected from damage, fading, and the elements. Remember, plastic encapsulation may not be suitable for all maps, especially those with acidic components or certain types of media. Always consult professional advice if you are unsure about the best preservation method for your specific map.
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Avoid sunlight
Sunlight should be avoided when preserving old maps in plastic due to the sun's UV rays, which can cause foxing (reddish-brown spots), yellowing, and deterioration of the paper. The UV rays can also cause the fibres of the paper to break down, leading to fading and discolouration.
If you are displaying a map, it is recommended to use UV-filtering glass or acrylic to protect the map from sunlight. Keep the map away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as this can cause mild mildew, which is caused by moisture in combination with high temperatures. Sunlight can also cause the lignin in wood-based paper to give off organic acids, which will cause yellowing, browning, and brittleness over time.
When storing maps, it is recommended to keep them in a cool, dry place, avoiding hot attics, damp basements, and heat sources. Keep the maps laid flat in boxes or shallow drawers to avoid sunlight damage. If you must roll the map, use a tube that is at least three inches in diameter.
By avoiding sunlight and taking other preventative measures, you can help ensure that your old maps remain well-preserved and protected for many years to come.
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Store in a cool, dry place
When preserving old maps, storing them in a cool, dry place is essential to prevent moisture damage. Mild mildew is most commonly caused by moisture in combination with high temperatures. The sun's UV rays can also cause foxing (reddish-brown spots), yellowing, and deterioration. Therefore, it is important to avoid storing maps in hot attics, damp basements, or next to heat sources.
Keeping maps in a dry, temperature-controlled environment such as an air-conditioned house can help prevent these issues. Consider storing them in a closet or cabinet on the top shelf, as lower shelves may be more susceptible to temperature and humidity fluctuations. If using a wooden cabinet, ensure it is lined with a barrier material such as polyester film or Marvelseal®, a laminate of aluminum and inert plastic.
Additionally, when storing maps in a cool, dry place, it is recommended to keep them laid flat in boxes or shallow drawers. This helps maintain the map's flatness and prevents curling or creasing. If using a box, choose one made of acid-free materials to avoid acidic damage to the map over time. Polyester (Mylar) sleeves or acid-free paper can also be used to provide an additional layer of protection.
By following these guidelines and storing old maps in a cool, dry place, you can effectively preserve them and protect them from moisture damage, temperature fluctuations, and other environmental factors that could cause deterioration.
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Frequently asked questions
One method of preserving old maps in plastic is called encapsulation. This involves sandwiching the map between two sheets of archival-quality plastic film, which are then sealed together using ultrasonic or heat welding. Before encapsulating your map, ensure it is laid out as flat as possible, and that it has been de-acidified to avoid deterioration within the plastic.
Encapsulating old maps in plastic helps to protect them from damage, fading, and wear and tear. Plastic encapsulation also makes maps easier to handle and display.
There are several other ways to preserve old maps. You can store them in archival wallets, boxes, or drawers, ensuring they are kept flat and protected from sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperatures. You can also frame maps using archival, acid-free materials, or digitise them by scanning or photographing them.
