![]() ![]() Each drawing has an individual entry and took about three minutes to document. It was necessary to have a record of each drawing's location within its roll. Basic information on each roll was recorded, including location, treatment and drawings of significant interest. The card file system enabled an overall view of the progress of the project. During the early stages of the contract two separate documentation systems were developed: a card file system and a survey form. Prior to the contract a preliminary catalogue and condition survey were carried out by Pauline Webber and Phillipa Hunt from Paper Conservation. This involved the compilation of a condition survey and initial catalogue, remedial conservation treatments and the upgrading of storage. The project aimed to make the archive accessible for accessioning and cataloguing. There was heavy surface dirt and the roll ends were crumpled and torn however smaller drawings within were found to be very well preserved. The extent of this mould damage is linked to the degradation of the material. The Theatre Museum subsequently acquired the archive of 139 rolls amounting to between 9,000 and 10,000 drawings.Ĩ4 of the rolls had mould damage, mainly confined to one end (Figure 2). ![]() About three years ago when the barn was cleared out, the archive was recognised as being of significance. The archive was moved from the firm's offices some 40 years ago to a barn. Within the archive are examples of all the major types of drawing and printing used by architects at this time, illustrating every stage of work. Although many of his theatres have been demolished, those still standing include the London Coliseum, Buxton Opera House, the Grand Theatre, Douglas and Harrogate New Kursaal. The archive represents almost all the remaining drawings produced by the firm of Frank Matcham (1854 -1920) 1, the most prolific theatre architect of his generation (Figure 1). It describes the size, condition and treatment of the archive and addresses some of the problems associated with salvage projects. This article outlines a six month project dealing with badly damaged archive material. A drawing for the Grand Theatre Woolwich.
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