Restoring architectural drawings...

tucko · Post by **tucko** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:37 pm

Ok, so about two years ago I bought a truckload of architectural drawings and maps at the estate sale of a local architect and civil engineer who had passed away. I have well over 200 drawings almost exclusively of my town of Whittier, Ca. They range from residences to schools, businesses, gas stations, and a WPA Post Office building (which also came with the specs). Most of the drawings are in the 1935-55 era.
Anyhow, since these are the original pencil drawings on vellum, some of them are pretty crinkled up. Anybody know a good way to smooth these crinkles out if I wanted to frame something? Or am I stuck going to a professional?

piccini9 · Post by **piccini9** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:11 pm

Try one that seems least dear to you first.
Put it between two sheets, and try a dry, hot iron on it. If that doesn't work, call a professional,

guitargeek · Post by **guitargeek** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:17 pm

Start by reading this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservati ... science%29

Post by **Beemer Dan** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:50 pm

I used to know this waiter that liked encyclopedias, had a set of em. He would put his shirts between two encyclopedias and they would be perfectly pressed and wrinkle free. I like motorcycles, but keeping things pressed between two motorcycles didn't work at all.

Nice score on the blueprints, I love stuff like that. One thing you could try is to take one of the prints you are least attached to and take it to a local print shop. I remember when I worked at one we had all sorts of excellent equipment used in book binding that could do the trick of smoothing an old or ruffled page. Also, if they've got one of the heavy laminating machines try getting it double side laminated with matte finish 3 mil. If you put it in a frame behind glass you'll never notice the laminate and it will be further protected from the elements.

You wouldn't happen to have the bank blueprints would you?

Bigshankhank · Post by **Bigshankhank** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:11 am

Dude I am so jealous, I love both drafting and cartography. Alas I never pursued restoration so I cannot help you, unless you have some old documents you'd be willing to part with.

tucko · Post by **tucko** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:28 am

Beemer Dan wrote:I used to know this waiter that liked encyclopedias, had a set of em. He would put his shirts between two encyclopedias and they would be perfectly pressed and wrinkle free. I like motorcycles, but keeping things pressed between two motorcycles didn't work at all.

Nice score on the blueprints, I love stuff like that. One thing you could try is to take one of the prints you are least attached to and take it to a local print shop. I remember when I worked at one we had all sorts of excellent equipment used in book binding that could do the trick of smoothing an old or ruffled page. Also, if they've got one of the heavy laminating machines try getting it double side laminated with matte finish 3 mil. If you put it in a frame behind glass you'll never notice the laminate and it will be further protected from the elements.

You wouldn't happen to have the bank blueprints would you?

Well they aren't blueprints, but the original pencil drawings. Sorry, no bank drawings. Perhaps I can interest you in the drawings for the Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear power plant in Georgia?

Post by **DerGolgo** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:11 am

Any chance you are going to digitize the lot and make it available online? Or at least the nicer ones? Depending on copyright worries, of course.

tucko · Post by **tucko** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:49 am

Bigshankhank wrote:Dude I am so jealous, I love both drafting and cartography. Alas I never pursued restoration so I cannot help you, unless you have some old documents you'd be willing to part with.

Of the maps, my favorite is 3 out of a set of 4 maps that map out all the vegetation in the Grand Canyon. A duanting task that must have been.....Most of the other maps are USGS maps of different quadrants in Cali.
Another cool find was a 1930-31 sports calendar sent out to customers from Bethlehem Fabricators (before it was Bethlehem Steel).
The achitect who passed away was also a Quaker missionary who had traveled the world. I have tons of pamphlets, booklets, etc. including lots of pacifist and anti-war stuff from the 40's-50's, human rights booklets, train schedules, tourist stuff from the same era....several shoeboxes full.....

rolly · Post by **rolly** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:53 am

If it looks like you can't restore the originals without damaging them, you might scan and digitally restore them. Make some cleaned up reproductions and leave the originals untouched. You probably know some people with Photoshop skills who might take a crack at it, though this kind of thing can be a lot of work.

The Shifty Jesus · Post by **The Shifty Jesus** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 pm

Call these guys and ask them. If there is anyone who knows, it's them.

http://www.nbm.org/
202.272.2448

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Restoring architectural drawings...

Restoring architectural drawings...