Local Records :: Conservation Services Default :: Dred Scott Conservation Intro :: Dred Scott Treatment 6
Conservation of the Dred Scott Papers
The last step in the treatment was to encapsulate each document. This is a process in which a piece of thin polyester film is placed on each side of a document, then the two pieces are sealed together outside the edges of the document. Encapsulation provides physical support during handling and gives some protection from dirt and air pollutants. Unlike lamination, however, this procedure is completely reversible, since the pieces of polyester film are only sealed to each other - not adhered to the document.
The treatment of the Dred Scott documents took approximately two months to complete, after which they were returned to the St. Louis Circuit Clerk's Office. Digital copies of the documents can be viewed at the Washington University website at http://digital.wustl.edu/dredscott/.
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