You might do better to consult with a professional conservator.  For
assistance in finding a conservator, go to
http://aic.stanford.edu/public/select.html.  Until then, I wouldn't do a
thing except perhaps put a tray under the box to contain any mess. Good
luck.

Lauren J. Cook, RPA
Senior Archaeologist
Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc.
30 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512

Ph: 609 655-0692 ext 312
Fx: 609 655-3050
email: [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Christine Garst
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 4:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: leather conservation


I only wish there were conservation/costodial notes with them, for there
are not.  I am inclined to agree that putting them in plastic might
cause greater damage, but they cannot stay as they are now.  The box
they were in was greasy clear through and posing a threat to nearby
boxes.  The shoes are somewhat stable now and that does argue for not
messing with them, but two of the shoes have a reddish something
(growth?) on them that I am afraid might be "red rot."
I like you're idea of checking with a chemist.  Thanks.

>>> [log in to unmask] 1/21/2005 2:17:00 PM >>>
if you can't get hold of a proper trained professional conservator, i
would have a chemist look at the grease to find out what it is, first,
then maybe recommend something safe to remove it with -
are there no conservation/costodial notes with them, identifying the
substance?
putting them in a plastic bag might just cause them to get mouldy or
something; if they've survived since the 60s in a cardboard box, why not
just put them in a new box? if they're stable as they are, don't mess
with 'em

"Christine Garst" <[log in to unmask]> schrieb:
> I'm hoping that someone out there can help me with a conservation
> problem that I have.  I have came across a box of shoes (fragments
and
> near complete) that was recovered from Historic Fort Hays
(1865-1889)
> during excavation in the late 1960's.  The shoes are, unfortunetly,
> covered in what appears to be either axel grease or candle wax/tallow
or
> both.  They give off a strong odor of wax, but look and feel very
> greasy.  I can't continue to leave them in the box as they are as
that
> has been soaking up the grease also.  As I see it I have two
options:
>
> 1. Should I leave the shoes the way they are?  If so, could they be
> placed in plastic bags to contain the mess and smell or would the
> plastic bags react poorly with the grease/wax?
>
> 2.  If the grease/wax should be removed from the shoes what type of
> cleaner or solvent could be used to clean them?
>
> Can anyone out offer a solution to my dilemma?
>
> Thank you very much,
> Chris Garst
> Kansas State Historical Society
>