Paper conservation recommendations in NYC?

January 15, 2021 5:09 PM

I have a 1920s lithograph poster I would like to have linen-backed and ~possibly~ restored. The most obvious NYC business doing this (posterfix) has very sketchy reviews so I would like some recommendations (or anti-recommendations) from people who have used other services.
posted by beerbajay to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

You can use the website of the professional organization for conservators in the US to find a qualified paper conservator: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator
They will assess your poster and give you a proposal for any treatment required.
posted by sizeable beetle at 5:16 PM on January 15, 2021 [5 favorites]

I don't know about NYC but I have known two small frameshops that were owned by art history people who could absolutely do this.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 9:28 PM on January 15, 2021

This is not a comment about the folks Mr. Yuck refers to, FYI. I had a vintage poster that got damaged in shipping and I was stupid and took it to an independent framer in Sweden and it looks terrible. It is not the framer's fault. It is my fault for not doing my research and finding out that conservators exist. Later I met a book conservator who has been trained at various places and does great work. If this poster is valuable OR you love it, then take it to a professional who is a conservator and be prepared to pay for that professional's skills and experience.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:42 AM on January 16, 2021 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Hi! I work in paper conservation in NYC. My studio doesn’t do linen backings, but I can recommend you to my colleague at M & W Graphics. Contact Ian Wright. He specializes in vintage posters and is absolutely the best person for the job. His rates are also pretty reasonable. Memail me if you have any other questions!
posted by rabbitbookworm at 12:05 PM on January 16, 2021 [1 favorite]