WhatsApp usFor years, this 1940 military map of North East England had been waiting for a second life.
It had belonged to the owner’s late father and with their family history closely tied to the area it depicts, was far more than simply a map. By the time it arrived at our studio, the fragile paper was in five separate pieces. Years of folding, deterioration and DIY repairs had left the paper torn, heavily stained and too fragile to display.
Restoring it was a decision its owner had been considering for some time. When the day finally came to bring it to us, they admitted they could “not quite believe I am taking this plunge after all this time…”
The challenge was to make the map whole and stable again without erasing the signs of a long and well-used life. Several weeks later, those five fragile pieces had become a conserved and framed family heirloom, ready to take its place on the wall.
Decades of Wear & Repair
The map had been designed to be used, it was mounted onto a linen scrim backing so that it could be folded and unfolded as needed. Unfortunately, the decades of handling had left their mark.
The fold lines had become its weakest points. In several places the paper had torn completely, leaving the map in five separate pieces, with further tears and small losses throughout.
There was also evidence of earlier attempts to hold it together. Sellotape had been applied across damaged areas, but as the adhesive aged it had yellowed and degraded, leaving prominent brown stains behind.
Historic stamps and inscriptions added another consideration, particularly when assessing how the map would respond to washing and other aqueous treatments.
Not every sign of age needed to disappear. The owner was comfortable with some of the old tape staining remaining, seeing it as part of the map’s history. For our paper conservator, the priority was to address the damage that threatened safe preservation while retaining the character it had acquired across its life with the family.
The Aims of Map Restoration
Once the map reached our studio, our paper conservator was able to examine its construction and condition in person. They found that the old tape and deteriorated backing could be removed, allowing the individual sections to be treated more effectively.
The map could then be carefully washed to reduce accumulated dirt, contaminants and general discolouration before being reconstructed and relined.
The surviving tape staining presented an important limitation. Although treatment could substantially improve the overall appearance and stability of the map, the staining caused by the degraded adhesive could not safely be removed entirely.
The Japanese tissue lining was particularly important, as rather than simply improving the map aesthetically, it provided support across weakened fold lines and repaired areas. This treatment would allow what had become five fragile sections to function as one complete object again.
Once treatment was complete, the map was whole again. The five sections had been brought back together, the paper was cleaner and flatter, and the new Japanese tissue lining gave the weakened sheet the support it had been missing.
Framed for the Future
The map had spent years too fragile to display, so from the outset, one of the intentions was to get it back onto the wall for the family to view and enjoy.
A black and gold frame was chosen to suit the age and character of the piece, paired with UV-filtering glass to offer greater protection while on display. The dark outer edge gives definition to such a large map, while the gold detail picks up the warmer tones within the paper without competing with it.
Part of Family History
With conservation and framing complete, the map was no longer something that needed to be carefully stored away. Hung against a deep green wall, the restored map now sits prominently in the family home.
“The map looks quite amazing – given the history of the family within it I felt a little in awe of putting it on the wall in the first place! It fits perfectly into the decor and the room that I am creating.”
– Feedback from the Client
That is often one of the most rewarding outcomes of conservation. The transformation isn’t about removing every crease, stain or indication of age for our team, it is about stabilising what survives, respecting the history held within an object and allowing something personally significant to continue being part of someone’s life.
Contact Our Team
Have a historic map, document or work on paper in need of conservation? Our experts can assess the condition and recommend a treatment plan, as well as bespoke, museum-grade framing options.
Antique Map Restoration Services
If you have an antique map in need of care, contact our conservation team via the form above for specialist advice and a free assessment for our paper restoration and framing services.
As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio.
Historic maps often suffer from:
- Torn or Detached Fold Sections
- Failing or Acidic Linen Backings
- Surface Dirt and Staining
- Distortion and Creasing
Professional map restoration can stabilise these issues while preserving as much original material as possible. Conservation framing with UV-protective glazing can then help ensure the map remains protected for generations to come.
Whether discovered in an attic, inherited through family collections or purchased as an antique, historic maps like this remarkable 1802 London map often have far more life left in them than their condition initially suggests.
