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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Day 4 of showcasing Conservator Jolanta's work on this volume from the BBC Written Archives Centre. These images show the repaired textblock. Jolanta surface cleaned the leaves, the mould damaged areas were then consolidated with Klucel G in Propan-2-ol and the losses infilled with Japanese paper.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Day 3 of showcasing Conservator Jolanta's work on this volume from the BBC Written Archives Centre. After surface cleaning, Jolanta infilled the board losses with layers of Japanese paper and Manilla, adhering a layer of toned Japanese paper to beautifully blend the repair to the original covering.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Day 2 of showcasing Conservator Jolanta's work on this volume from the BBC Written Archives Centre. These images show the mould damaged text block before work commenced.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

This week we are showcasing a project that Conservator Jolanta has recently completed at our Hackney studio. This volume is from the BBC Written Archives Centre. These images show the front and back before work commenced.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Preventive Conservator Catt and Conservator Jolanta have recently completed an AD strip 400 sample survey on Iconic Images Gallery collections. AD strips are dye coated paper strips that monitor the levels of deterioration of cellulose acetate film.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

It's always lovely for us when we arrive on site to carry out routine work to find something special is happening. Lead Conservator Marie arrived @salisburycathedral.bsky.social recently to carry out environmental and pest monitoring to find the flower show was on!

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

We are concerned to hear that proposed job losses are threatening the future of one of our long-standing members, Bangor University Archives and Special Collections. If you share our concerns, please sign this petition:

change.org

Sign the Petition

SAVE YOUR ARCHIVE / ACHUBWCH EICH ARCHIFDY

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Preventive Conservator Catt had a fantastic time at the Museums + Heritage show last week with our friends Conservation Resources and Jamie Briggs Removals & Storage Ltd. It was great to speak to so many new people about all the ways NCS might be of service.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Lead Conservator Marie has recently enjoyed seeing a long term project come to fruition. These are the first boxes of negs from @commonwealthwargraves going into freezer storage. We are happy to see this collection receiving perfect storage conditions @jamiebriggsremovals @conservation_resources

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Here is that board re-attachment in action. This volume from @thercn collections can now be consulted safely and used as originally intended without the risk of further damage occurring.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Check out this beautiful board re-attachment Conservator Maddy recently completed on this volume from @thercn collections. Maddy has skilfully toned aerolinen to create this repair.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Director Chris had the pleasure of joining the recent conference panel @heritagecouncil.ie "It was great to join the panel and to hear about the steps being taken in Eire to develop the heritage sector..."

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Most conservators enjoy surface cleaning, and we are no exception. Here, built up dirt is carefully removed from this frame by Conservator Zuraida. Isn't it amazing what a few damp swabs and lots of patience can achieve? This item is currently on loan to @hartlepoolartgallery from the MMMT.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Conservator Zuraida can be seen here cleaning paintings from the 'Under Steam' collection owned by the Mercantile Marine Memorial Trust. These are currently part of an exhibition @hartlepoolartgallery 'Charting the Course: Hartlepool's Maritime Heritage'

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Remember the beautiful illuminated address from yesterday? Here it is after treatment re-housed in an acid free folder with an aperture to protect the delicate media.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Check out this beautiful address on parchment from the Ethical Society. Here Conservator Maddie is consolidating the delicate media with isinglass.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Did you know we offer a pest monitoring service for our members? This includes several changes of traps per year and an annual report full of advice on how to ensure your stores are as pest free as possible.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

This is why we think it's important to check and clean every leaf of a volume! This squashed fly was found by Conservator Maddy at our Hackney studio while cleaning through some items from the Barings collection.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Lead Conservator Marie and Preventive Conservator Catt recently visited @thebritishacademy to re-start their pest monitoring service after a refurbishment break. It was also a great opportunity to discuss and advise on disaster planning as well as appreciate the beautiful architecture.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Conservator Maddie staying safe in full PPE cleaning a mould damaged item from Lewisham Council.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

During a recent visit to @britishdentalassociation Lead Conservator Marie posed the question how do we best package decomposing toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste?

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Here is Lead Conservator Rachael de-framing drawings for Lloyds Register Archives. Once free of their frames this collection will be surveyed to identify potential conservation treatments ahead of storage.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

We're taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of these exposed spine linings and sewing: A semi naked book if you will! This lovely ledger was found during a recent survey at Barclays Group Archives

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Have you been enjoying the Spring warmth recently? We wish we could say the same for Lead Conservator Marie who has been busy working in our freezer storage at Upper Heyford @jamiebriggsremovals @conservation_resources

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

We are delighted to be a sponsor for this years OxCam Conference. Here is Lead Conservator Marie giving a brief NCS overview to delegates earlier.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

What do we do when a volume is missing one of its boards? Well we make a new one of course so the book can be used as originally intended. Here's a volume that Conservator Maddie fished recently at our Hackney studio.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Something big has been happening at our Upper Heyford studio! We will have exciting news to share really soon! @jamiebriggsremovals @conservation_resources

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Associate Director Sharon has been collecting insect blunder traps from one of our Members. This members historic stores tend to be rather spidery, and so each trap is placed in a sealable bag to ensure the contents stay put during their journey back to Sharon's studio. Bags are washed and reused.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

This time next week we'll be @oxcamconference We are excited to be sponsoring this event this year and are looking very much forward to meeting delegates.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

We are privileged to visit some beautiful buildings in the course of our work. During a recent installation @somersethouse Conservators Maddie and Jolanta enjoyed seeing the fabulous 'Salt Staircase' restored through grant funding and now open to the public.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Who doesn't love a tiny book?! These are some tiny beauties that Conservator Jake has been working on at our Upper Heyford studio. They are part of a long term project from the collections of @southormsbyestate

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

We have new leaflets! We have really enjoyed working with @dombakerdesign and are delighted with the results.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Conservators Jolanta and Maddie returned to @somersethouse recently to assist in the installation of exhibition 'Salt Cosmologies'. Jolanta can be seen here condition reporting objects on loan from @kewgardens

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

An update on this beautiful parchment genealogy currently on the bench at our Hackney studio: This lovely item has been surface cleaned, locally humidified and flattened with the aid of small magnets.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Today is all about insect traps for Preventive Conservator Catt. Boxes and boxes of traps from our Members are unpacked and the contents of each trap examined under magnification. Findings are then reported with any recommendations for improvements that might help control insect populations.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Some archival items live hard lives before they end up in the safety of a secure repository. This is one such item; a surprising find during a recent condition survey. Missing its back board, this large ledger has been water and mould damaged and then used for rodent bedding!!!

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Remember the Towneley manuscript volumes? Associate Director Sharon has been back to @archiveswigleigh continuing to strengthen mould and media damaged papers with localised applications of methyl cellulose size. This video shows just how effective this treatment is at increasing tensile strength.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

A recent repackaging project completed at our Upper Heyford Studio. This is the Royal Charter of Middleton School granted by Queen Elizabeth I to Dean Alexander Nowell of St. Paul’s London for the poor scholars of Brasenose, dated 1575 @bracenosecollege @conservation_resources

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

This stunning item is the Rashleigh Abbot's Calendar from 1462; the medieval equivalent of a handheld device. 26 years after its first assessment and treatments, we have been delighted to support @kresenkernow with their loan of this beauty for display at Lambeth Palace Library @lampallib

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Did you know we offer digitisation services from both our Hackney and Upper Heyford studios? These beautiful images are from the @exeterunilib digitisation project that Conservator Zuraida is currently working through at Upper Heyford @TownsWebArchiving

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

We're always vigilant to potential hazards in our work. Usually these are in the form of pests or mould but occasionally we find something surprising. During a recent due diligence visit Lead Conservator Marie and Preventive Conservator Catt discovered this mercury filled clock! @imechelibrary

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Sometimes there are small jobs we can help with while we're on site with our Members. During a recent visit to @hfdcathedral library and archive Associate Director Sharon was very happy to surface clean this leather covered deed box. It provided a good opportunity to assess the insect damage too.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Another from our image archive... We're taking a moment today to enjoy these beautiful marbled endpapers.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

We also take on projects from private individuals. This beautiful parchment genealogy is currently in the safe hands of our team at Hackney. The image shows little magnet bundles holding the document flat to while drying after localised humidification.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Conservator Zuraida has been working for some time on a digitisation project for @exeterunilib This 10 phase project has already seen some 21,000 images scanned and is due to complete in 2026.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Associate Director Sharon on a recent visit to @hfdcathedral library and archive. Sharon has been working with Archivist Elizabeth Semper O'Keefe surveying the archive and object collections with a view to creating what every repository needs... more space!

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

How's the view up there? Preventive Conservator Catt on a recent due diligence visit to @imechelibrary considering safe handling and transport options for this gentleman.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Did you know we offer a freezing service? Our walk in freezer is based at our Upper Heyford site and is managed by Lead Conservator Marie. Here you can see cushions from @salisburycathedral choir that were showing signs of moth activity. Wrapped in polythene they were frozen at -20 degrees C.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Conservator Jolanta has been working on a collection of glass plate negs from @the_ruskin Jolanta has surface cleaned each neg with a soft brush, before checking for damage to the glass and emulsion layer. Once assessed each neg is wrapped in a silversafe enclosure and placed in bespoke housing.

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National Conservation Service @natconsserv.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

We've been dipping into our own image archive. Happily recalling this lovely paper model that came to our Hackney studio for work following the de-installation of the long term 'Story of 51' exhibition @southbankcentre

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