Laboratory for Research and Conservation of Paper and Leather

Leader: dr hab. Tomasz Kozielec, prof. UMK

The Laboratory's scope of activity is directed towards institutions, organizations, and communities that own and preserve historical artifacts, where paper, leather, or fabric are among the materials present. We are open to cooperation with state institutions, academic circles, as well as private collectors.

Examples of heritage objects we work on in our laboratory include:

Old prints and books published after the 19th century
Historical documents (on parchment and paper)
Antique prints
Watercolors, gouaches, drawings, oleographs, oil paintings on paper-based supports, pastels
Artworks from the Middle and Far East (e.g., scroll paintings, thangkas, fans, woodblock prints, oriental scroll forms)
Artifacts made from tapa, papyrus, or bark
Antique autograph albums, photograph and collector albums
Newspapers, leaflets, and other ephemeral prints
Wax objects (seals, figurines, candles)
Securities and philatelic items
Antique bookbinding accessories (boxes, portfolios, historical passe-partouts, etc.)
Artistic and applied crafts (cordovans, ethnographic objects, furniture upholstered with leather and fabric, saddles, horse tack, etc.)
Works of art made from paper, leather, and related materials (e.g., papier-mâché sculptures, theatrical masks, spatial installations, etc.)
Naturalia – artifacts from natural history collections (taxidermy, dried specimens, antique scientific preparations, etc.)
Archaeological finds that include paper, leather, parchment, or fabric materials
Cartographic heritage: large-format maps, plans, atlases, globes
Photographs
Textiles (historic garments, macramé, textile accessories, etc.)

A prayer book (old print, bookbinding block) in codex form from the fourth quarter of the 17th century, authored by Father Stanisław Skibicki (owner: Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kórnik)

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Tableau photograph, map of the underground of Tarnowskie Góry (owner: Museum in Tarnowskie Góry)

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The Great Map of the Duchy of Pomerania by Eilhard Lubinus, 1758 (owner: Main Library of the University of Szczecin)

SCOPE OF OUR ACTIVITIES:

Comprehensive conservation projects - full conservation and restoration including instrumental research. Additionally:

Conservation work on entire book collections, archival resources, and other historical collections
Activities in the field of preventive conservation
Design and production of custom protective enclosures for historical objects
Technological and "impression" copies

Research and expert assessments

Identification of the manufacturing technique (paper, textiles, leather, adhesives, print, drawing, painting, manuscripts, wax masses, etc.)
Conservation projects, cost estimates, and valuation analyses
Development of innovative conservation methods and research collaboration
Condition assessment (including light resistance, causes of damage)
Legibility/enhancement of texts, textures, and transparencies of supports
Dating of historical artifacts
Documentation of conservation and restoration work, as well as expert assessments
Protection of artifacts from biodeterioration

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