SOME SIMPLE FRAMING HINTS
Whether you intend to frame your purchase yourself or use a local Frame Shop, here are just a few points to bear in mind.
1. STANDARD SIZE FRAMES - There are many attractive frames available, which are much cheaper than a Custom made frame.
2. MATTING (Mounting) - Be sure to use Archival, Museum quality board.
3. NON-REFLECTIVE GLASS - Although a little move expensive, this can enhance your picture considerably.
4. PLAQUES - A nice finishing touch, especially if you are giving a present, is to have a small plaque made with suitable wording & brief details, artist, date etc of the item.
5. SUNLIGHT/TEMPERATURE: Do not expose your pictures to direct sun light nor to extremes of temperature.

CLEANING
Although the majority of the maps & engravings I offer are not in need of cleaning, from time to time I do offer some items which would be enhanced by normal cleaning. These notes are provided by way of abbreviated summary only - if in doubt do please consult an expert.

It is perfectly possible to clean items yourself. The golden rule though, if you are dealing with a scare or valuable item, is DO NOT clean yourself, at least not until you have considerable experience. Never try to clean a map or print which has been hand coloured. Amongst others, Art & Old Print Restorations carry out specialist cleaning: you may well find others on the net and you should 'shop around' to ensure you are getting the best service currently available.

Where a map or print has become dirty, soiled or foxed over the years, cleaning is normally carried out using a special type of bleach which must then rinsed out.
1. Take a bowl of clean, warm, not hot, water. Add some Chloramine T, available at chemists etc, which is a mild form of bleach. 10% will normally suffice. For the more expensive items, it is essential to get fully professional advice.
2. Allow the print or map to soak until the foxing or soiling has gone. If it has not cleared after about +/- 30 minutes, strengthen the amount of bleach a little.
3. Once clean remove the item from the solution - BE CAREFUL ! Large prints or maps, can tear very easily when wet. Some people use a sheet of glass to remove the item from the bowl.
4. Soak the print for 24 hours in a solution of clean cold water to remove bleach. Multiple washes are an advantage. I have heard of vinegar being used to help this process, but have no personal experience of the results. Place the print/map between pieces of blotting paper (newspaper will do for inexpensive items) on a flat surface.
5. Apply some weight, maybe some books, to keep flat.
6. Allow to dry.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANTIQUE MAPS AND PRINTS: Please visit my ABOUT ME PAGE.

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