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Caring for Your Records

Storage of Maps & Plans

Rolled in Calico Bags

These bags provide good protection from dust, dirt, and to a certain extent from damp. They are better than putting a map inside a box or tube because of the risk of abrasion from rough handling.   Rolled documents can be handled and lifted without stress.

Materials needed:
Unbleached Calico
Unbleached Cotton Tape
Small luggage labels
Cardboard Roller/Tube, large diameter Archive quality or covered with acid-free manila

Equipment needed:
Sewing Machine or Over-locker
Tape-measure
Scissors and Pins

Roll document around the roller and secure with *calico bands tied with tape.

Devon Records Office - Stopping the Rot - Calico Bags 1

Measure the rolled document - see diagram. Devon Records Office - Stopping the Rot - The roled Document

Two measurements are needed:  

a) The length, plus the diameter of the end of the roll, plus 4" or 10cm for the tied end.

b) The circumference of the roll, plus 2"or 5cm.

Cut a strip of calico, the required measurements.

Cut 2 or more tapes, the circumference plus 14"or 40cm. More tapes would be needed if the document is very long.    Space them at 18" or 45cm. intervals.

Devon Records Office - Stopping the Rot - Calico Bag 3

Place map in bag tie and store.

Flat Maps & Plans

Maps & plans that need to be stored flat can be stored in ‘Melinex’ polyester sleeves with or without an acid-free mount board. They also provide some support to fragile documents. However, do not use if the item has flaking ink or surface decoration such as gold leaf. Select a size that is around 1" or 2cm larger than the document.   These are available from the Conservation studio at Devon Record Office.

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