Posted by Peter Gallagher (213.84.198.104) on September 29, 2004 at 21:44:26:
In Reply to: Toning posted by Arnold on September 29, 2004 at 18:23:17:
Hi Arnold,
"Solid" research information follows below, but first a "shared experience":
Some time ago, I also found myself in a similar position to yours.
At least - I was looking for a restorer ... but not for the want of reducing toning and improving colour of an 18th century print....
But suffice it to say that I had some prints which I felt deserved restorations which I was afraid to attempt myself, because of:
a) lack of appropriate knowledge
b) fear of doing more harm than good (perhaps even irreversible damage - dread the thought!!)
I eventually found a restorer, but:
a) he had more work than he could handle (where did I hear that before? :-) ).
b) he was (they all seem to be) even more expensive than I had thought - even allowing for thir specialist work and "lots of other reasons" (such restorers seem to be rarer than a mint-condition original Sharaku print ! ;-) ).
c) the gent in question is an artist himself and actually wanted to quit restoring and get down to some personal work in the art field.
d) Being a very kind soul, he took great pity on me and did some restorations (cheaply!) for me, but also gently let it be known that he wouldn't have more time for me (or anyone else, actually) in the future...
But I digress ...
Just wanted to give you some insight into my experience. Hopefully you will have better luck wherever you live, in finding a restorer.
What I was longwindedly getting around to is that I did some research into restoration and felt that the following might be useful to you.
At least; I hope it helps to draw some issues to mind and to inform about what (some kinds) of restoration actually involve. I've left out the likes of fixing holes and tears - you can find first-rate info on that at the "library" section of www.ukiyoe-gallery.com ...
Firstly there's the "moral issue", the argument of which I found to be well-worded in this snippet:
"The collector must remember that he has an obligation to future generations of collectors and to the integrity of the prints themselves to care for them in a responsible manner. We are only temporary custodians of these magnificent works and we must insure that these beautiful prints do not suffer from our neglect or mistreatment." -- Shogun Gallery
As background info, the following article is very educational and deals with your issue (albeit: a shin-hanga print - not a 1770's relic):
http://shinhanga.net/cleaning.htm
... May I state categorically that I do not suggest you attempt any such restoration yourself!
See this posting from an archive and especially the follow-ups which ensued! )
http://64.176.69.32/wwwboard/archive/message7/2085.html
Likewise: as to the above - I neither endorse or condemn either stance on this issue categorically. :-)
Having read the reactions, I think you may agree that there are a lot of things to be considered. It's never a black and white issue. The grey area is immense. It depends on the individual circumstances.
If you'll permit me to make ONE personal comment:
I think that in the case of your print, the first sentence of the "moral issue" quoted above, carries a lot of weight. I think it's safe to presume that your print is not a "readily-replacable" $100 print :-).
I think a profesional restoror SPECIALISED in woodblock prints could give sound advice to start with. ( I found book restorers who were CLUELESS as to even how to go about restoring my humble "Kuni-whatsits", mostly due to lack of knowledge of mulberry paper and pigmnets ...). So you do need advice from the right source - that's essential.
Failing an appropriate restorer, the RIGHT contact at a museum would surely have some guidelines as to the (presumable) importance of your print and what would be appropriate in their eyes. They might also suggest a restoror in the area (if it comes to it).
Perhaps if you couple professional advice with your motivation, a clear(er) path may reveal itself.
I almost forgot to me