Artifact Preservation Inquiry:

[History36]

Hello all,

Just curious if folks here have any insight, tips, suggestions, etc. on how best to properly transport an artifact, by chance. Reason being, I have an original / war used pair of leather boots & I'd like to learn more about the correct packing box & paper material to care for these boots. I realize probably acid free, but where to acquire & any misc. tips & suggestions would be most helpful...

Thank you for any assistance.

 

[major bill]

Thank you for posting this. While I do not collect leather, we di have members who do.

 

[captaindrew]

Paging @Package4 I'm sure he knows how to handle this

 

[Package4]

Hello all,

Just curious if folks here have any insight, tips, suggestions, etc. on how best to properly transport an artifact, by chance. Reason being, I have an original / war used pair of leather boots & I'd like to learn more about the correct packing box & paper material to care for these boots. I realize probably acid free, but where to acquire & any misc. tips & suggestions would be most helpful...

Thank you for any assistance.

Acid free is correct, but for transport I use a plastic Rubbermaid or other container with the leather artifact wrapped in acid free paper. Michaels believe it or not used to carry such. Leather is not as fragile as cloth and many times does not need the extra care depending on condition.

If the boots are in good shape, you might not need all of the acid free precaution, but they can't hurt. UV and humidity are your enemies, in addition to heat.

You can go full out and acquire acid free archival boxes, but they are expensive and as long as the artifact is wrapped in acid free paper the box is moot.

What condition are the boots?

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Amazon also sells acid free paper and boxes, which is where I've bought mine, not having good luck with the local Michaels. Plus our state is on lockdown now and Michaels is closed.

 

[History36]

Thank you gents, and Package4, for your responses - they're greatly appreciated. The boots are actually in decent condition. The only 'damage' is along the very top right boot, which is the most delicate, in other words.

The boots' loan contract will expire fairly soon & I'm seeking guidance on not only how best to preserve the leather, but also how best to adequately transport such a unique treasure (use of acid free materials, gloves, etc.). Thank you for your feedback!

Another question (while I am here) if I may ask please: there is an account in which the individual stated that he was struck by a bullet at Petersburg, VA, 1864. As such, he had extensive bleeding seep into his right boot. Would there be a way possible to test these boots to see whether or not there may be a high concentration of blood in the right boot, by chance? Simply curious to ascertain whether he was wearing these or not at the time for greater historical insight.

The inner boots have been packed with material to keep their shape, so I've never removed that material (plus, they're still housed in the museum). In short, I didn't know where best to take them *if* an examination is ever conducted & what source would be the most reputable to do the work.

Thank you again for your time.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I think UV light would show blood.

 

[Package4]

Thank you gents, and Package4, for your responses - they're greatly appreciated. The boots are actually in decent condition. The only 'damage' is along the very top right boot, which is the most delicate, in other words.

The boots' loan contract will expire fairly soon & I'm seeking guidance on not only how best to preserve the leather, but also how best to adequately transport such a unique treasure (use of acid free materials, gloves, etc.). Thank you for your feedback!

Another question (while I am here) if I may ask please: there is an account in which the individual stated that he was struck by a bullet at Petersburg, VA, 1864. As such, he had extensive bleeding seep into his right boot. Would there be a way possible to test these boots to see whether or not there may be a high concentration of blood in the right boot, by chance? Simply curious to ascertain whether he was wearing these or not at the time for greater historical insight.

The inner boots have been packed with material to keep their shape, so I've never removed that material (plus, they're still housed in the museum). In short, I didn't know where best to take them *if* an examination is ever conducted & what source would be the most reputable to do the work.

Thank you again for your time.

There are all kinds of tests that can be done, the easiest as @NH Civil War Gal mentioned is a black light, but that would show all fluid associated with a body. Keep in mind that it would be normal to find some blood in almost all period footwear. When all the craziness is over you can have them tested with luminol or other such chemicals, with associated light.

You can buy luminol or actually make it yourself, it reacts to iron and therefor is a fairly good indicator of the presence of blood. Generally artifacts that have blood on them are targets for insects.

 

[History36]

Thank you again for your reply + assistance! I will be sure to take notes on these tips so that I can maintain these boots to the very best of my ability.

As for luminol, would you recommend applying a light amount, say, on a Q-tip & the use of the black light as the best way to start? And lastly, how would the presence of blood actually appear while using that specific test (key elements that would indicate, in other words)? I'm assuming that I wouldn't want to 'over apply' a substance, especially affecting the historical integrity of the leather boots...

Thank you again for your suggestions.

 

[Package4]

Thank you again for your reply + assistance! I will be sure to take notes on these tips so that I can maintain these boots to the very best of my ability.

As for luminol, would you recommend applying a light amount, say, on a Q-tip & the use of the black light as the best way to start? And lastly, how would the presence of blood actually appear while using that specific test (key elements that would indicate, in other words)? I'm assuming that I wouldn't want to 'over apply' a substance, especially affecting the historical integrity of the leather boots...

Thank you again for your suggestions.

Old blood on leather is as one would expect, a darker black appearance, the exterior would most certainly be clean, since the boots were utilized post wounding. The interior might show evidence, but that would depend upon the area of wounding and if pants were tucked in or not.

Are the boots lined?

 

[History36]

Thank you again for your time in responding. I don't believe that the boots are lined - it's been awhile since I last viewed them before delivering them to the museum, but to the very best of my knowledge they're not lined.

But, absolutely, I was thinking dark / black staining. But, based on the primary source accounts, the dark blue trousers were tucked in when the blood began running in. So, there could be little to no residual evidence left based on trousers tucked in, how many layers of wool socks were worn (to seep up), etc.

As a side note, these boots are rather small. I realize too that the average Civil War era soldier's height was approx. 5' 8", but I suppose it's possible too that leather could have shrunken up some, perhaps. Just for the sake of asking, ever hear of the type of leather used in mid 19th century shrinking up considerably? If not, it could be that this individual simply had smaller feet altogether.

Anyhow, just 'talking out loud' as it's fun learning more about these misc. topics too as I love little nuance details in general. Thank you again for your time and insight!

 

[Package4]

Thank you again for your time in responding. I don't believe that the boots are lined - it's been awhile since I last viewed them before delivering them to the museum, but to the very best of my knowledge they're not lined.

But, absolutely, I was thinking dark / black staining. But, based on the primary source accounts, the dark blue trousers were tucked in when the blood began running in. So, there could be little to no residual evidence left based on trousers tucked in, how many layers of wool socks were worn (to seep up), etc.

As a side note, these boots are rather small. I realize too that the average Civil War era soldier's height was approx. 5' 8", but I suppose it's possible too that leather could have shrunken up some, perhaps. Just for the sake of asking, ever hear of the type of leather used in mid 19th century shrinking up considerably? If not, it could be that this individual simply had smaller feet altogether.

Anyhow, just 'talking out loud' as it's fun learning more about these misc. topics too as I love little nuance details in general. Thank you again for your time and insight!

Boots are not going to shrink like that, I have a pair from Petersburg where the bullet travelled through the right one badly wounding the sergeant who wore them. There is zero shrinkage, but these are thick Wellington style boots.

 

[History36]

Good info once more - I appreciate your allowing me to double-check potential shrinkage just for the sake of asking out of curiosity.

As a side note, mine too is similar to your Wellington style boots. After a little more research, mine are actually almost identical to the Fugawee artillery short boot (the top is ever so slightly different than theirs though).

I'd love to see any pictures that you may have. If not, no worries as I just greatly appreciate all of this valuable information to better help me care, protect, & preserve this treasure from the war - you've been phenomenal, my friend...