O CZASOPIŚMIE
„Notes Konserwatorski” jest recenzowanym czasopismem naukowym, rocznikiem, wydawanym przez Bibliotekę Narodową. Czasopismo stworzone zostało w 1998 roku z myślą o ogólnopolskim środowisku konserwatorów zabytków na podłożu papierowym. Poświęcone jest tematyce ochrony i konserwacji zbiorów, książek, zbiorów ikonograficznych, kartografii i innych, jak np. fotografie. Czasopismo znajduje się na liście czasopism naukowych Ministerstwa Edukacji i Nauki z liczbą 40 punktów. czytaj więcej o czasopiśmie
NUMER BIEŻĄCY
STRONA REDAKCYJNA, OD REDAKCJI, s. 1–11 / CREDITS, EDITOR’S NOTE, p. 1–11
POLITYKA OCHRONY I KONSERWACJI ZBIORÓW / PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION POLICY
Dwadzieścia lat odkwaszania zagrożonych zasobów z XIX i XX wieku w Bibliotece Narodowej s. 15–22 / Twenty years of deacidification of endangered 19th and 20th-century resources at the National Library, p. 15–22
At the National Library in Warsaw, collections from the 19th and 20th centuries that are drawn up on acidic papers have been subject to professional maintenance for twenty years. It primarily includes deacidification in the Bookkeeper installation (compact prints) and using the C-900 device (sheets). In addition, if the condition of the library materials requires it, they are subjected to other necessary conservation procedures. The purchase of all the equipment, as well as its installation and commissioning, was covered by the 2000–2008 government program ”Acid Paper. Mass rescue of endangered Polish library and archival resources”. The article discusses the deacidification results achieved at the National Library from 2005 to 2024.
Zmiany metod prac konserwatorskich w Bibliotece Narodowej. Uregulowania prawne, praktyka dawniej i dziś, s. 23–45 / Ewa Potrzebnicka, Changes in the methods of conducting conservation works at the National Library, p. 23–45
This article is based on a paper delivered in April 2025 during the XXIX Conservation Meetings “The Art of Conservation” organised by the Warsaw District of the Association of Polish Artists in cooperation with other institutions involved in conservation activities, including the National Library. The 2025 session held at the Palace of the Commonwealth was dedicated to changes in methodology in preserving library collections. The author gives a broad overview of the historical changes in the manner of protecting library collections, resulting from their basic means of preservation, enforcement of regulations and recommendations set by international forums. She draws attention to the scarce interest of the conservationist and library communities in the methods of carrying out procedures on written historical artefacts and the insufficient protection of the authenticity of written heritage monuments.
FIZYKA, CHEMIA I MIKROBIOLOGIA W OCHRONIE I KONSERWACJI ZBIORÓW / PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY IN PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION
Japoński papier drukowy kyokushi – historia i metody produkcji. Część 2. Wytwórcy prywatni i recepcja w krajach Zachodu, s. 49–86 / Japanese kyokushi printing paper – history and production methods. Part II: Private manufacturers and reception in Western countries, p. 49–86
Japanese paper was known in Europe as early as the 17th century, becoming a highly valued graphic material that even Rembrandt used. Its popularity grew in the West in the second half of the 19th century. Kyokushi printing paper, also
known as Japanese velin, was first introduced to the European public at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878. It quickly gained extraordinary popularity and recognition in artistic circles, becoming Japan's leading export product for many years. It was used to create artwork and produce luxury publications. The article presents the opinions of many artists of the time, in which they described the advantages of kyokushi paper and shared advice on its best use. At the end of the 19th century, the production of kyokushi for external markets was taken over from the state-owned enterprise by private companies. The publication discusses the history of the production of kyokushi in two Japanese provinces: Echizen and Shizuoka. Initially, the paper was produced from mitsumata fiber. Over time, due to raw material shortages, the proportion of mitsumata in the fiber composition decreased, and ko¯zo and Manila hemp fibres and even wood pulp became the main ingredients. The heyday of kyokushi paper has passed, but surviving artwork and prints still bear witness to it.Najcenniejsze rękopisy Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina: ocena stanu zachowania zbioru i problemy konserwatorskie w świetle wyników pomiarów pH papieru, s. 87-113 / The most valuable manuscripts of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum: an assessment of the collection's state of preservation and conservation problems in light of the paper's pH measurement results, p. 87-113
The article deals with the collection of musical manuscripts, letters, sketches and drawings of Fryderyk Chopin, owned by the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw. The collection is remarkably diverse in many respects. The text will address technical and technological issues, such as the several types of papers and writing media chosen by the musician, with reference to the current state of preservation and taking into account conservation treatments carried out over the years. Regular inspections pay special attention to the problem of ink corrosion – it is necessary to determine the level of corrosion and possibly plan local repairs. The pH levels of the original manuscripts and any added items were measured in 2023. During past restorations, paper defects were filled in, and free sheets were added (sometimes in large quantities) to provide an alkaline buffer and a safe environment to stabilise the pH level of the original documents. Many objects have their dedicated bookbinders made during the former conservation efforts. At that time, the results of the final pH measurements were carried inside several bindings, which has now made it possible to evaluate and compare the rate of changes occurring in the original manuscript despite the added conservation-quality materials. The results allow us to determine whether the added elements are still helpful or already harmful and should be taken out. The removal of acidified and unstable elements should be considered, and then alternative methods of preservation without permanently attaching foreign materials should be analysed.
The most valuable manuscripts of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum: an assessment of the collection's state of preservation and conservation problems in light of the paper's pH measurement results, p. 113–137
The article discusses the collection of musical manuscripts, letters, sketches, and drawings by Fryderyk Chopin, owned by the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw. The collection is very diverse in many respects. The text will address technical and technological issues, such as the different types of paper and writing media used by the musician, with reference to the current state of preservation and to conservation treatments carried out over the years. Regular inspections focus on the problem of ink corrosion; it is necessary to determine the extent of corrosion and, if required, plan local repairs. The
pH levels of the original manuscripts and any added items were measured in 2023. During past restorations, paper defects were filled in, and free sheets were added (sometimes in large quantities) to provide an alkaline buffer and a safe environment to stabilise the pH level of the original documents. Many items have their dedicated bookbinders made during the former conservation efforts. At that time, the results of the final pH measurements were carried in several binders, which has now made it possible to evaluate and compare the rate of change in the original manuscript despite the added conservation-quality materials. The results allow us to determine whether the added elements are still helpful or have become harmful and should be removed. The removal of acidified and unstable elements should be considered, and alternative preservation methods that do not permanently attach foreign materials should then be analysed.Keywords: manuscripts, letters, drawings, Frederic Chopin, pH, acidic paper, ink corrosion, bookbindings.
HISTORIA, BADANIA I KONSERWACJA FOTOGRAFII / HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Metoda kolodionowa w tworzeniu negatywów fotograficznych, s. 141–182 / Collodion method in the creation of photographic negatives, p. 141–182
The aim of the article is to familiarise the reader with the diverse processes ofter referred to by the generic term collodion or wetplate collodion, the latter often being a misnomer. Processes such as wetplate collodion, bath sensitized dryplate collodion and negative silver-collodion emulsion dryplates are presented in detail and differences between them are elucidated. Methods of developing collodion negatives are also explained along with an attempt to associate different types of development to different types of negatives. Also discussed are typical methods used to intensify and fix negatives as well as to varnish them.
Sample recipes and methods are included as well. An explanation is offered for the claim that not all collodion negatives were indeed wetplate negatives and an attempt is made to suggest ways in which the two can be identified.Metody wywołania srebrowego obrazu fotograficznego w XIX wieku, s. 183–215 / Methods of developing silver photographic images in the 19th century, s. 183–215
The article focusses on the usage of development of photographic materials, both negative and possitive, in the 19th century. The crucial processes of physical (or acid) and chemical (or alcaline) development are explained and compared and an approximate chronology of their usage is given. Also discussed are the most typical reducers from galic acid to hydroquinnone along with their used for various types of development. Typical methods of development along with the reducers used are identified for subsequent negative and positive silver based photographic processes. In addition to the above, differences between POP (Print out Paper/Process) and DOP (Developed out Paper/Process) are explained and the commonly held opinion that most if not all early photographic prints were printed out rather than developed out is challenged.
Z PRAKTYKI KONSERWATORA / FROM A CONSERVATOR’S PRACTICE
Friedrich Kaufmann (1847–1928) – elblążanin, znawca grzybów na terenie Prus, badacz roślin, nauczyciel z pasją, s. 219–239 / Friedrich Kaufmann (1847–1928) – an Elbląg resident, an expert on fungi in Prussia, a plant researcher, a passionate teacher, p. 219–239
The article discusses botanical charts being a part of a collection of biological artefacts donated to the Elblag Library by Mrs. Hanna Szuszkiewicz, Director of the Complex of Schools and Sports Facilities in Elbląg. The author of the charts is Friedrich Kaufmann, an Elblag resident who lived at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a teacher, plant researcher and expert on fungi in Prussia, who proved to be an important figure for the region. The author presents a biography of Friedrich Kaufmann and describes the charts depicting native plants of Prussia, briefly introduces the historical and cultural context, and mentions the conservation work carried out.
KONFERENCJE, WARSZTATY, WYDARZENIA / CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, EVENTS
Kalendarium wydarzeń 2025, s. 243–255 / Calendar of Events in 2025, p. 243–255
Józef Charytoniuk. Wspomnienie, s. 256–263 / Józef Charytoniuk. Memories, p. 256–263