Touchdown!
This football down marker came to us from the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives at Texas A&M University Libraries. Well worn from its days on the field, this football marker’s paint layer was badly flaking, the metal was corroding, and the wood topper was splitting.
The down marker, prior to receiving treatment.
The treatment started with a trip to College Station for Michael, our Senior Painting Conservator, to work to stabilize the original paint surface in the conservation lab on campus. The paint film was cracked and lifting off the metal throughout the entire surface, making travel to Chicago for treatment impossible. Michael proceeded with the onsite stabilization and consolidation of the painted surface and the football marker safely made its way to Chicago for the rest of its extensive treatment.
Paint chips that had come loose were carefully stored during transit.
After arriving in Chicago, the paint layer was further consolidated through a combination of techniques including careful heating and mechanical manipulation of the paint film. Then, the loose paint chips, carefully saved over the years by the Library, were adhered to help define the edges of the numbers depicted on each of the blades of the marker. Any adhesive residue was removed from the paint surface and areas of the exposed substrate.
The piece during treatment.
Next, the parts of the wood that had split from shrinkage were stabilized using a conservation-grade adhesive. Active corrosion was removed, and the metal surface was stabilized using a combination of mechanical and chemical techniques.
The entire surface was cleaned of grime, and the wood was given a protective coating of wax.
Finally, the areas of missing paint were minimally and selectively inpainted at Michael’s discretion to further achieve the definition of the remaining numbers, while maintaining the overall aesthetic quality of its current appearance. “[Texas A&M University] wanted to keep the aged quality while still being able to clearly read the numbers on the blades. I was able to fabricate fill material that mimicked fractured paint which was then strategically placed in certain areas to help more clearly define the numbers,” commented Michael.
We’re excited to be able to return this piece of sports history to its home. Go Aggies!
