Lecture 27 - Emma Nichols

Emma Nichols, Book & Paper Conservator, Cambridge University Library

Overview

This talk describes the paper analysis, and design and application of an in situ conservation treatment, for the moisture damaged paper of a 20th century WWII Nominal Roll, enabled by the award of a Wellcome Trust Research Bursary. The Nominal Roll had suffered extensive moisture damage resulting in the weakening of its paper leaves and bleeding of inks. The historical importance of the Roll’s binding meant conservation of the leaves needed to be carried out in situ.

Analysis was conducted using near infrared spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and fibre furnish in collaboration with researchers at University College London’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage. Ultra Violet photography and a Dino-Lite® microscope were used at Cambridge University Library. Analysis revealed that the moisture damage extended beyond what was visible. This informed the design and execution of an in situ conservation tre

About the speaker

Emma has been working as a Book and Paper Conservator at Cambridge University Library for seven years. She gained her MA in 2013 in the Conservation of Books and Archival Materials from Camberwell College of Arts, having previously studied Fine Art & Art History at Aberystwyth University. She’s worked on a diverse range of material at CUL; fragments from the Cairo Genizah, WWII archives from Singapore, 15th-16thc. Grace Books from the University Archives, the collagen analysis of parchment, and 15thc. Incunabula Hortus Sanitatis. She’s passionate about the education of new conservators and sits on the ARA Conservation Training Scheme committee.