In conservation we are working with the layers of history that came with the object, it’s certainly not just about repairing what has been lost. Preservation hinders further decay and ensures the preservation of the history and craft with which the object was created.

RNA is active in various areas in conservation and restoration:

Handling objects, tender and cost
In the workshop we will discuss different objects with various damage. The most common objects we deal with are: books, prints, drawings, maps, parchments and charters, with leather chairs and gold leather lining. Common injury forms are books, loose covers and damage tires. With prints and drawings often the paper discolored / discolored or there are several cracks and missing sections in the paper.

In consultation with the client we decided what the right approach is for the object and we write up a quotation. The restoration is documented by pre- and post-restoration photographs. In addition, is recorded in a document which treatments are carried out and what materials are used for this, so that is clearly in the future which treatment has been the object.

We like to make a non-committal offer. In this proposal we describe the damage, a proposed treatment, the period within which the work will be done and a price for the work. To prepare, you can make an appointment with us a quote so that we can consult them in our workshop. Drawing up a quote based on photos from emails is not possible, but we can possibly give an indication of the potential cost.

For restoration of a single object, you should consider a minimum price of € 200, -. Our hourly rate is € 65 excluding 21% VAT. For small restorations is hereby included the use of materials and photo documentation pre-, during and post-restoration. The walk-through of a restoration is about 3 months. On request we can also deliver more work. The work on some objects and small amounts are always made in the workshop in Amsterdam.

at work – restoration Ledgers Amsterdam City Archives

Advice and condition reports
Besides the daily restorations carried out in the workshop by our qualified restorers RNA also provides regular advice in the field of conservation and management of collections. For this we write condition reports, for example, applying for grants and funding, but also damage reporting for applications with an insurer.

In addition to advice on the preservation of a collection we can also give recommendations on possible disposal and about the right way of exhibiting objects. RNA has developed a wide variety of storage materials for books.

Research
Research can be performed in response to a specific problem or restoration may be right material-technical. The research is always in the service of the conservation of the object. We have different research techniques at our disposal.

– Microscopy: archeology of bookbinding, pigments research
– Acidity measurement: a factor in the determination of the deterioration of paper and leather
– Spectrophotometer: metering benefit of condition assessment
– Shrinkage temperature test: condition assessment of teaching

On site work
In large restoration projects we work on location, whether we like extra strength allow hiring an existing project, or that we set up a studio facility on site, and get to work, with or without the help of volunteers. Examples of such projects include the preservation of the library of Castle Amerongen, gold doctrine of the Six house and the first 42 books of the 17th century Wisselbank from the Amsterdam City Archives.

Metamorfoze
RNA is also active in the field of digitization within the Metamorfoze program. We have executed several projects, such as the Anne Frank Foundation, the Amsterdam City Archives and the Six Collection in Amsterdam which we have prepared various objects for digitization and also equipped with proper storage.