Learn how conservators at the Harry Ransom Center painstakingly repaired and framed a Norman Bel Geddes poster design for the 1926 Macy’s Christmas Parade.
Paper Conservator Jane Boyd recently completed a treatment of the 1819 manuscript for Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “The Battle of Marathon,” which was recently digitized. Browning’s method of revising involved sewing pieces of paper containing handwritten notes directly into the manuscript, which had to be removed and preserved during the digitization process.
Conservation work was recently completed on the dresses from “Gone With The Wind” in the David O. Selznick collection at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the wedding dress veil. Learn more about the project.
Conservation work was recently completed on the dresses from “Gone With The Wind” in the David O. Selznick collection at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the work done on the burgundy ball gown. Learn more about the project.
Conservation work was recently completed on the dresses from “Gone With The Wind” in the David O. Selznick collection at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the work done on the green velvet dressing gown. Learn more about the project.
Conservation work was recently completed on the dresses from “Gone With The Wind” in the David O. Selznick collection at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the work done on the green curtain dress. Learn more about the project.
Read the full article “Before and After: Stanley Marcus Collection of Marionettes” on the Harry Ransom Center’s website.
The Stanley Marcus collection of Sicilian marionettes before custom housing was built.
The Stanley Marcus collection of Sicilian marionettes in their custom-built housing.
Read the full article “Exhibition services team builds custom storage hanger for ‘Men of Honor’ dive suit from Robert De Niro’s collection.”
The Robert De Niro collection, which was donated to the Ransom Center in 2006, includes the costume that was worn by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the movie “Men of Honor” (2000). Photo by Pete Smith.
After taking measurements of the suit, the acrylic sheet panels and polyethylene foam pieces are cut to size using a pattern fashioned from blue board. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.
Polyethylene foam is archival, lightweight and flexible, which makes it the perfect product to use for this project. Adding it to the outside of the hanger protects the suit and is support padding for the shoulders. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.
The hanger measures over thirty inches in length and is designed to be unobtrusive so the viewer’s focus remains on the suit itself during exhibitions. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.
The suit is so heavy that it must be placed horizontally in order to get the hanger inside. Photo by Sonja Reid.
The construction of the hanger allows the center section to be removed and adjusted in order to fit the hanger inside the suit with ease and create a proper fit. Photo by Sonja Reid.
A special wall-mounted bracket is used to support the weight of the suit plus all its accoutrement, such as the weight belt when used in exhibitions. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.
Once hanging, the suit doesn’t touch the walls or the floor, which helps preserve the material. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.
Read the full article “Your Humble Serpent: “Book Snake” and “Book Worm” are unsung Reading Room companions”
A small book worm, assisted by a book support, and a large book snake; both assist Io Montecillo, by gently holding open small and large books. Photo by Pete Smith.
Samantha Cabrera constructing “book snakes” with chain links. Photo by Mary Baughman.
Vials of insect specimens are used to teach Ransom Center staff to identify the insects that might damage collection materials. Photo by Pete Smith.
Olivia Primanis reduces mold contamination on a music score with a hepa filtered vacuum cleaner. Equipped with micro tools and adjustable suction, the cleaner is used in a fume hood to decrease exposure to the conservator and the Ransom Center’s environment. Photo by Pete Smith.
Mary Baughman uses tweezers to remove moth cocoons from a hat that is part of the Sir Donald Wolfit collection. The hat was used in productions of Shakespeare’s plays in England, between 1937-1967. Photo by Pete Smith.
