“With time and aging the adhesive will oxidize and migrate in the paper causing it to stain. Moreover it makes the paper brittle which leads to tears and losses,” she says, pointing to a little chunk missing from the map’s corner. “It’s important to take care because these pieces came to us from centuries ago.”
The process of restoring a historic document is tedious and requires an in-depth knowledge of the given document’s material chemistry. This is why restorers specialize in one thing, whether that is paper, film, paintings or ethnographic objects.
“You must completely understand the material you’re working with and how it interacts with everything from moisture to temperature to a variety of substances.”
Each of Chevalier’s restoration projects begins with a reference photograph and condition report, in which she outlines the necessary treatments for restoration.
In the case of the map from Antwerp (which offers an early geographical depiction of the Americas), Chevalier will begin by dusting it with a finely ground erasing compound before removing the adhesive tape using special solvents and a scalpel. After this, she will flatten it in a Gore-Tex humidification chamber.
Next, the work of mending wear and tear begins. Creases and rips are restored using a special transparent Japanese paper – the thinnest in the world – and a starch paste cooked weekly from scratch.
After she finishes the meticulous reparation process, Chevalier will cover the map in unwoven fabric and blotters topped with Plexiglas and weights. Then, finally, it’s time for the last flattening, using a press.