![[Before Treatment]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_2669d5404c7b4f74bcb99701fd5d9069~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_338,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_2669d5404c7b4f74bcb99701fd5d9069~mv2.png) [Before Treatment] | ![[After Treatment]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_5fc1b07b183a4c92b931608077550cc5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_348,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_5fc1b07b183a4c92b931608077550cc5~mv2.png) [After Treatment] |
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![[Before Treatment] Raking Light](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_279c19f39e844a2bbf2d1230a5c2ac59~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_307,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_279c19f39e844a2bbf2d1230a5c2ac59~mv2.png) [Before Treatment] Raking Light | ![[Before Treatment] Raking Light](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_8d47d47cdb9e43859e8fd2c7ff02c665~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_302,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_8d47d47cdb9e43859e8fd2c7ff02c665~mv2.png) [Before Treatment] Raking Light |
![[Before Treatment]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_6084b8ac06e44100a1ba9832a7fe62aa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_340,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_6084b8ac06e44100a1ba9832a7fe62aa~mv2.png) [Before Treatment] | ![[After Treatment]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1de16c_32505819ef8144449f9ceaec528afbba~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_250,h_340,al_c,q_95,enc_auto/1de16c_32505819ef8144449f9ceaec528afbba~mv2.png) [After Treatment] |
A. J. Ravenel Manuscript, 1861
Treatment performed at: The Charleston Library Society Book Conservation Studio
Overseen by Conservator: Brien Beidler
Civil War era letter handwritten in iron gaul ink on lined stationary, burned, pest-eaten, and brittle along the creases where it was folded into a 9X7 cm rectangle, repaired with wheat paste and 2 gram kozo Japanese tissue from the back varying in thickness from one to three layers
My hand skills at performing Japanese tissue treatments were first put into practice on this historic letter, written by a member of the distinguished Charleston family, the Ravenels. The letter conveys to the recipient Frank {?}, the desire of A. J. Ravenel to serve in the Confederate army if he can be of help to the Southern cause.
I was informed that the letter was found in Frank Ravenel’s possession at the time of his death, a casualty in the Civil War. The letter was found in a black wooden chest among other contemporary letters. The box has been in the Charleston Library Society’s possession for decades but remains unaccessioned. I am told the letter may be put on temporary display at the newly renovated Charleston International Airport.
After writing a brief condition and treatment report in the form customary at the Charleston Library Society Book Conservation Lab, I performed the treatment under the supervision of Brien Beidler. Notably, the weight of Japanese tissue used, 2 grams, added support to the fragile paper while being nearly invisible in the photographs after treatment, at left.