Does anyone have any experience with parchment decrees bearing lead seals? I have about 20 papal bulls in our collection and need advice on the best way(s) to store them. At present, they are in the cylinders used by the Italian postal service to get them to Aust. My predecessor wrapped the attached lead seals in ordinary paper and secured this with a rubber band. I'd like to improve on this.....or at least feel comfortable about leaving them as found.
Many thanks,
Kim
Replies
Kim, as you could imagine we have many of these papal bulls. What i have done is place each flat in a large polypropylene bag with the metal seal placed in a small bag on top of the document. Each bull is then placed in a large blue corrigated board flat box. I would have to look up the order for the exact size. I have one for each of our archbishops who have number of these bulls for each of their appointments. I do have some of the cylinders which i place then on top inside the box wrapped in archival paper.
Some of the very early bulls i have had them digitised and copied as for the photographs. If they are in latin we have also had them translated.
I hope that is helpful, cheers pauline
Hi Kim
See the below link to a report A Guide to Standards, Recommended Practices and Reference Literature Related to the Preservation of Documents of All Kinds from the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization. It recommends 'lead seals should be placed in polyester bags or plastic boxes and stored on metal, not wooden, shelving. The organic acids in the wood react with the lead and cause the seals to deteriorate.'
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001126/112676eo.pdf
All the best
Caroline