Marie,

Are you sure this is mold and not some other efflorescence on the leather surface? Could it possibly be a blooming of a previous wax coating?


Jane Hammond
ICA-Art Conservation
2915 Detroit Road
Cleveland, OH 44113
ica-artconservation.org

On Jun 13, 2014, at 2:31 AM, Müller-Radloff, Christine - SES <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Dear Marie,
> please contact Christina Meier-Wolff (http://www.microconservation.de/) to this problem.
> I hope she will help you.
> 
> Christine
> =======================================================================================================================
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Im Auftrag von Marie Schlag
> Gesendet: Donnerstag, 12. Juni 2014 15:21
> An: [log in to unmask]
> Betreff: Leather Treatment
> 
> Hello Listers, 
> 
> Please excuse cross-postings.
> 
> A vegetable tanned leather doctor’s bag (1775- shoulder bag style) needs treatment for mold infestation.  The front flap has lost flexibility, is brittle and curled (see attached photo).  
> 
> I would appreciate your suggestions regarding the eradication of mold spores that may remain after mechanical removal is complete. 
> 
> In addition, is there a safe way to soften the front flap to return its characteristic flexibility?  Can a PEG 400 solution be safely utilized?  Other suggestions?
> 
> With appreciation for your collective knowledge,
> 
>   Marie Schlag
>   Textile/Costume Conservator
>   Collections Care Lectures and Workshops
>   Associate Member-AIC
> 
>   The Studio for Textile Conservation, LLC
>    91 Tilden Road
>   Scituate, MA 02066
>   www.ConserveTextiles.com
>   781-710-6658
> 
>