Comparing Two Methods For The Deacidification Of A 1950s Wood Pulp Paper Comic Book

Abstract

Comic books as a material category is almost entirely unexplored within conservation literature, this in spite of the thriving collectors market for the material. In the following study the application of two deacidification procedures used in paper conservation will be tried and evaluated for use in the conservation of one 1950s wood pulp paper comic book indicative of the material category from this period. The deacidification procedures tested are those of a full immersion aqueous calcium hydroxide method as well as a method where calcium bicarbonate treated sheets will be interleaved with the comic book paper and kept at a heightened relative humidity for an extended period. Applicability of these treatments will be analysed through differences in pH prior to and after deacidification. The study finds that both methods of deacidification are successful in increasing the pH of the comic book paper. The full immersion calcium hydroxide deacidification being suitable for mechanically stronger pages in need of stronger alkalinity and the interleaving deacidification being fit for fragile pages.