Bartram, William

Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

EXAMINATION, CONDITION, AND TREATMENT REPORT

Figure 1. Before treatment, recto.

Figure 2. Before treatment, verso.

OBJECT
CALL NUMBER
COLLECTION

Ink and Graphite Drawing

Mss.B.B284d
Benjamin Smith Barton Papers; Series IV. Graphic Materials.

ARTIST
TITLE
DATE

William Bartram
Betula populifolia [Elements, pl. XXVII in part]
Unknown

DISTINGUISHING MARKS
None
CONDITION PHOTOGRAPHS
See Appendix III
GENERAL HOUSING, MATTING, AND FRAMING as received
None
EXAMINER:
DATE EXAMINED:

Jacklyn Chi, Graduate Summer Conservation Intern

June 20, 2016

REASON FOR TREATMENT

To stabilize the print for its return to storage in the manuscripts collection and preserve its
availability for future exhibitions and scholarship
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Media

Graphite and black and brown ink. When viewed under magnification, the black ink lines have
slight pooling at the edges, a quality that suggests a quill pen was used as the drawing instrument. The

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Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

brown ink tested positive for iron ions, indicating the use of an iron based or iron contaminated ink, such
as iron gall ink or bistre. 1
Extent

Unless otherwise indicated, the height measurements are taken along the left side, the width
measurements along the bottom.
Overall
Height: 6 15/16 in. (17.6 cm)
Width: 8 in. (22.2 cm)

Image
Height: 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
Width: 4 5/16 in. (10.9 cm)

Primary Support
The primary support is a coarse brown handmade laid paper. The chain lines run parallel to the
long side of the sheet, or perpendicular to the vertical orientation of the image, while the laid lines run
parallel to the short side of the sheet. The primary support is fairly thick and varies in thickness; the
brown paper furnish has many impurities throughout (i.e., substantial variation in fiber type, many shives
present). When viewed in transmitted light, cloudy
areas and lumps are observed overall in the sheet
formation. The papers present color is dark beige. The
surface character of the sheet is rough with many
manufacturing imperfections throughout. The sheet is
irregularly trimmed, not square.
Off center on the primary support is an ink
drawing, partially illustrating Betula populifolia,
commonly known as gray birch, a deciduous tree
native to North America. The drawing is executed
primarily using two types of ink, black and brown in
color, with a light graphite sketch observed in a few
areas (Fig. 3). The drawing depicts an anatomical study
of the plant stems, pointed triangular leaves, and the
male and female flowers characteristic of monecious
Figure 3. Detail of black and brown ink used in
plants (i.e. catkins).
drawing.
CONDITION
PRIMARY SUPPORT
Unless otherwise indicated, left and right distinctions will be based on viewing the object from
the recto.
Strength or Weakness of Materials
The primary support is in good condition; it is flexible, but strong enough for handling. Water
drop tests indicate the paper has a rapid rate of absorption (less than 10 seconds), and a contact angle
less than 90 degrees was observed.
Tears

A small edge tear is located along the right side in the lower half of the print.

Indicator paper for iron ions from Preservation Equipment Ltd was used for qualitative ink identification.
The indicator is bathophenanthroline, a compound which complexes with iron (II) ions to yield a pinkmagenta colored complex.

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

Missing Parts, Holes or Thinning

There are three small holes located near the left edge.
In the lower right quadrant, a vein of irregular fiber formation is observed within the confines of
an abraded area. The vein has a slight gray cast, possibly caused by an adhesive used to mend the site in a
previous restoration campaign, and when viewed in transmitted light, there is greater light passage.
An adjacent manufacturing imperfectionpossibly attributable to a large impurity or inclusion
that is no longer presentcaused a circular recess on the verso, and the paper is left substantially thinner
than the rest of the primary support.
Attachments and Adhesives
On the recto, there are three brown circular attachments roughly 0.6 cm in diameter that sit
proud of the papertwo near the top edge and one near the bottom edgewith a waxy consistency.
They appear to be intentionally placed and may have evidentiary value; care should be taken to preserve
their presence.
Bulge, Warp, Cockle, or Draw
No distortion is observed, and the primary support is in plane.
Wrinkle, Fold or Crease
A crease located in the bottom half runs along a chain line and extends the length of the print. A
crease also runs diagonally from the top right corner to the lower left side. A small folded flap is located
along the right edge of the paper and may signify an original edge of the formed sheet.
Abrasion

In the lower right quadrant, there is large area of abrasion, measuring roughly 6.5 H x 6.0 W cm,
and subsequent patches where the laid and chain lines are diminished. The degree of fiber disturbance
could be from applied mechanical action across the surface with an abrasive material or, given the
primary support has uneven fiber distribution, there is also the possibility that the damage resulted from
poor sheet formation.
Insect Damage
No insect damage is observed.
Discoloration
Some oxidative edge discoloration is observed. The primary support is a light brown tone overall;
under magnification, the recessed spaces in between laid lines suggest the paper was originally a light
beige, similar in color as the abraded area.
A prominent large brown stain with an associated tideline is located in the top left quadrant of
the drawing along the top edge and measures 9.8 H x 3.5 W cm; smaller aggregates of light brown stains
are centrally located in the primary support. On the recto, a series of dark brown spots or ink marks are
located below the large brown stain.
Accretions and Grime
In general, the surface displays grime and dirt overall. Small brown accretions are found
throughout, predominantly on the verso. Dark gray residues are also present on the verso on the right
side.
When examined under long-wave ultraviolet light 2, a faint yellow fluorescence was observed as
discrete circular shapes scattered throughout the sheet. Both mold and tide lines usually appear as a faint
Raytech Ultraviolet Lamp (Model LS-7CB ), Division of Lyman Products: Longwave 365 nM; Shortwave
254 nM (115 volts; 60 cycles; 0.17 amps)
2

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

yellow fluorescence. The reticulated pattern within the fluorescing areas is often a feature of mold
growth, indicating foxing may be present and partially obscured by the furnish and discoloration of the
sheet when viewed in visible light. A bright yellow fluorescence was observed around the waxy
attachments under long-wave, but not short-wave ultraviolet light, suggesting the presence of a natural
resin.
DESIGN
Abrasion

None

Color or Design Change

Solubility testing of the media was conducted with a soft 000 brush and deionized water. The
media did not appear sensitive to water during solubility testing with deionized water. No swelling of the
media was observed.
Friable or Powdery
The black ink was found to be slightly friable. Friability testing of the media was conducted by
gently probing the media with a soft 000 brush.
Cleavage
None
Flaking and Losses
None
Crack or Crazing
None
GOAL OF TREATMENT
The primary goal is to improve its stability; this will be achieved with gentle surface cleaning and
an appropriate bathing method to diminish the presence of harmful pollutants and acidic degradation
products, an inherent vice of aged brown paper. Since the drawing has a unique association with a print in
the same collection, the disfiguring stain will be reduced to bring clarity to the image. In addition, other
William Bartram drawings made for Benjamin Smith Bartons publication possess similar circular, wax
components, making their preserving another goal in the treatment, as they appear to have historical
value.
TREATMENT PROPOSAL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Photograph prior to treatment.

Mechanically surface clean selectively in the non-image areas of the primary support.
Test solubility of media with deionized water and ethanol.
Mask off iron gall ink and wax attachments with cyclododecane.
Humidify the object in a chamber.
Perform overall bathing through immersion with calcium enriched deionized water.
Air dry the drawing on a polyester mesh frame.
Bleach stains in the margins of the recto with local brush application of a dilute reducing bleach
solution (e.g., sodium borohydride or perchlorate). Rinse with calcium enriched deionized water.
9. Examine under ultraviolet light to ensure removal of the reductive bleach.
10. Mend and stabilize the small tear.
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Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

11. To reduce planar distortion, humidify the drawing in a Gore-tex package or chamber and flatten it
between blotters and felts under glass and light weight.
TREATMENT REPORT
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

8.
9.

Photographed the drawing prior to treatment.

Mechanically surface cleaned selectively in the non-image areas of the primary support with Staedtler
Mars plastic eraser crumbs.
Tested solubility of media with deionized water and ethanol and was found not to be soluble in
either.
The iron gall ink and wax attachments were masked with cyclododecane. The cyclododecane was
applied with a Kistka tool, an electric hot wax pen that is typically used for decorating eggs. The tool
comes with multiple tips to allow for controlled application. The reservoir tip is heated, allowing the
cyclododecane to flow upon contact with the paper surface. Testing determined that even the
smallest reservoir tip allowed too much cyclododecane to exit. To control the rate of flow, the
medium sized tip was modified with an insect pin to reduce the aperture of the tip further.
Qualitative tests with cyclododecane was tried on various water soluble media, including felt tip pen
and watercolor, on expendable papers with a similar furnish and manufacture; after application of
the cyclododecane, the test samples were immersed and its effectiveness as a masking agent was
assessed. As prior solubility testing of the iron gall ink did not cause the ink to migrate or solubilize,
the cyclododecane was applied on the front only.
The small folded flap on the right edge of the paper was strengthened prior to bathing with low
viscosity (15,000 cPs) methylcellulose.
The drawing was humidified in a chamber.
Overall bathing was performed through immersion with deionized water. During bathing, acidic
degradation products readily exited the primary support. The object was supported on a nylon screen
and polyester webbing during bathing. A total of four baths were performed. The screen was gently
lifted twice per bath, using the surface tension of the water as a way of creating gentle suction on the
verso for drawing the degradation products away from the object. It was placed on clean blotter in
between baths with an exchange of fresh deionized water for each bath. Blotter, contoured to shape,
was placed over top of the dark stained area during bathing to assist with drawing out the stain. It
was observed that the malformed area in the lower right responded to moisture differently than the
rest of the paper during bathing. It did not absorb water as readily and beading was observed on the
surface; ethanol was introduced in a small area and immediate wetting was observed. Due to the
mechanical weakness of the malformed region, wetting of the area was not forced.
The drawing was air dried on a nylon mesh frame.
Reduced the large brown stain on a suction platen with local brush applications of 1:1 ethanol and
deionized water, followed with a 10% ethanol and deionized water solution raised to a pH of 8.5 with
ammonium hydroxide. The stain was further reduced through bleaching with a 4% Gellan gum that
was cut to the shape of the stain and soaked in a 0.5% sodium borohydride solution in deionized
water raised to pH 9-10 with ammonium hydroxide. When placed on the object, the reductive bleach
solution spread outside the boundaries of the stain. Non-uniform contact with the paper resulted in
splotches of irregular bleaching. The rigid gel method of delivery was aborted and stain reduction was
resumed with local brush application on a suction platen, starting at a concentration of 0.5% then
followed with a 1.0% solution for more resistant areas. The area was rinsed with deionized water
raised to a pH of 9 with ammonium hydroxide; it was noticed that the high alkalinity of the rinsing
solution promoted continued bleaching. To discontinue the bleaching action, rinsing of the area was
continued with a 1:1 ethanol and water solution at a neutral pH. The drawing was examined under
long-wave ultraviolet light to monitor the removal of the reductive bleach; the area continued to
fluoresce after many rinses, therefore the reductive bleach was cleared to the extent possible.

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

10. The small tear was mended and stabilized with wheat starch paste. The small folded flap along the
right edge of the paper was reinforced with medium weight Hanji and wheat starch paste.
11. The over-bleached stain was toned with chalk-pastel coloring pencil to visually integrate the area with
the primary support.
12. To reduce planar distortion, the drawing was humidified in a chamber and flattened it between
blotters in a book press.

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

APPENDIX I. Historical Background

William Bartram (17391823) was an American naturalist. Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son
of naturalist John Bartram and frequently assisted his father while traveling the Northeast region,
including present-day New Jersey, New England, and the Catskill Mountains, as well as Florida. In his later
years, as a naturalist under the patronage of scientist John Fothergill, Bartram produced hundreds of
botanic and ornithological drawings during his 17731777 scientific tour of the Southeast, where he
collected unusual specimens and wrote prolifically of his observations in nature (William Bartram,
American Philosophical Society 2016). Regarded as an 18th-century Thoreau, he is celebrated for his
artistic skills and talent for scientific documentation through the lens of personal experience. His most
famous work, published in 1791 and known today by its shortened title, Bartrams Travels, is an account
of his tour of the South. It included writing not only on subjects related to the flora and fauna of the
natural environment, but also documentation and sympathetic reflections on the customs and knowledge
of the Native American cultures he encountered (Holland Braund 2010).
Bartrams Garden is the oldest existing botanical garden in North America. Begun as the family
farm and home by John Bartram, the site came to cultivate a premier collection of North American plant
species, most of which are listed in William Bartrams 1783 Catalogue of American Trees, Shrubs and
Herbaceous Plants, which also contains an entry for Betula populifolia. This species is documented in
December 1744 correspondence from John Bartram to Englands Peter Collinson, who would later come
to hold one of the few collections of William Bartrams drawings that still remains abroad: I have this
winter been a great way in Jersey to fetch a fine birch with leaves some-what like a poplar and planted
it in my garden to send to you next fall (Meyer 1977).
The collection of William Bartrams drawings in the holdings of the American Philosophical
Society (APS) date to his third stylistic period and include[s] several illustrations made on the 17731777
expedition, or at Bartrams home shortly thereafter, and others drawn for illustrating [Benjamin Smith
Bartons] book, Elements of Botany: or, Outlines of the natural history of vegetables (Holland Braund
2010). Barton (17661815) was also a botanist and naturalist native to Pennsylvania. His book, which ran
for six editions and included plates based on Bartrams original drawings, was first published by Robert
Desilver in Philadelphia in 1803. The 1804 London edition also contained a total of 30 hand-colored
engraved plates (Explore PA History 2016). The third edition in 1827 was greatly enlarged to span two
volumes and contained 40 plates with some in a fold-out format (Trillium Books 2016).
In the same series of graphic materials in the Benjamin Smith Barton Papers, there is a handcolored print of Betula populifolia that closely resembles the APSs ink and graphite drawing. The print is
on a high-quality white paper, hand-colored, and is less extensive than the print, with a shorter stem on
the twig. This suggests the length of the stem was altered for the print version, which created room for
additional images on the plate. It is possible the drawing was used as a reference.
The published print of Bartons Betula populifolia contains a depiction of a Male Fern leaf in the
lower right corner, as well as text for labeling the three illustrated figures; only the top, largest figure
represents Betula populifolia (Barton 1803; see Appendix II). Differences between the published print and
the APS print suggest that the latter may be a proof; possible evidence include the vacant area in the right
corner and the thin horizontal black line separating the illustrations, which extends farther in the APSs
print than in the published version. Although William Bartram often did hand-color his drawings, and
many examples are in the APS collection, it is uncertain whether this APS print was hand-colored by
Bartram himself.

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Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chemical Forum. 2016. WebQC: chemical portal. Accessed August 11, 2016.
http://chemicalforum.webqc.org/viewtopic.php?p=8690&sid=b70ba5a2986690bba14c078ec3d46248
Explore PA History. 2016. Benjamin Smith Barton: historical figure. Accessed June 24, 2016.
http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-182
Kolar, J., et al. 2007. Stabilization of iron gall ink: aqueous treatment with magnesium phytate. EPreservation Science 4: 19-24.
Holland Braund, K. E. and C. M. Porter. 2010. Fields of vision: essays on the travels of William Bartram.
Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press.
Meyer, P. W. 1977. A proposal for the interpretation of John Bartrams garden. Ph.D. diss., University of
Delaware.
Morenus, L. S. 2003. In search of a remedy: history of treating iron-gall ink at the library of congress. Book
and Paper Group Annual. 22: 119-125.
Smith, B. B. Elements of botany: of, outlines of the natural history of vegetables. Philadelphia, PA; Robert
Desilver.
Sodium Borohydride. 2016. Wikipedia. Accessed August 11, 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_borohydride
Trillium Books. 2016. Barton, Benjamin Smith Elements of Botany: or Outlines of the Natural History of
Vegetables. Accessed August 11, 2016.
http://www.trilliumbooks.ca/store/product.php?id=8443
William Bartram. 2016. American Philosophical Society, Philadelpia. Accessed June 21, 2016.
https://amphilsoc.org/exhibits/nature/bartram.htm.

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Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

APPENDIX II. Relevant pages from Benjamin Smith Bartons book, Elements of Botany, including the
published 1803 plate and explanations of the figures.

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Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

APPENDIX III. Photographic documentation of object before treatment.

BEFORE TREATMENT Recto

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

BEFORE TREATMENT Verso

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

AFTER TREATMENT Recto

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Benjamin Smith Barton Papers

Series IV. Graphic Materials

Bartram, William
Hand-colored Print
Betula populifolia
Mss.B.B284d

AFTER TREATMENT Verso

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