Not sure if this goes here. Question about Blueprints

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JDel
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Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:39 pm

Not sure if this goes here or not but I thought this forum has alot of knowledge. If im in the wrong section if some could point me in the right direction :D :notworthy:
Anyways...
My grandparents farm that has been in my family for well over 85+ years is getting sold so my grandparents have a easier and smaller property to care for. A couple of use were in the old meat house and found some blueprints. My great grandfather used to design Potato Chip Machines for UTZ. He made/designed some of the first machines way back in the early/mid 1900's. They were in a leather zipped binder but it looks like the zipper was broken at some point dust/dirt and that stale smell have gathered alittle inside but not to bad. I was wondering should I just not clean them and let them air out? Or clean or have cleaned in some way? I imagine these are prob worth something to someone but I plan on getting them to a point to be framed and keep them and giving some to other members of the family.
Which brings me to the question how should I frame these? I didnt want to lay mat on top of them so I thought about using mylar corners and putting the blueprint on top of matboard.

Well anyways any info would help :pint: :pint:
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mazdog
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Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:59 pm

Sounds pretty damn cool, would love to see some pics.
This is also similar to the old charcoal sketches my girl got from her grandmother......hundred year old paper in a simple hardboard portfolio, they were in surprisingly good condition.

For those I framed them in some high end frames from Metro Frame. I pedestal mounted (unsure of the exact technical term....mounted to a piece of AF foamboard that is then mounted to the mat backing board) them using all 'archival' materials and Japanese paper hinges......it was a bit nerve racking but turned out great. I would probably consider a similar treatment for old blueprints.....maybe even a darkish metal or gray frame, bright white backing, they would pop nicely.

As for cleaning them....i wouldn't try anything too elaborate myself. How dirty are they? could you carefulyl get them out and separated then maybe blow them off with some can air or the like. you could then bag them in mylar/poly for safe keeping in the meantime. If they are dirtier than that seek professional restoration type help.
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travoda
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Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:03 pm

Sometimes the aging process can add some cool character to the piece.
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CHR1S
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Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:14 pm

How large are the blueprints? If the sheets are large then mylar corners might not be enough to hold them in place if you're planing on floating the sheets. And given that vintage blueprint paper is probably very delicate the ideal way to hinge them would be with wheat paste and Japanese mulberry paper.

And I agree with mazdog, metropolitan frames make quality frames. They are more expensive since they are all custom. But the quality is top-notch. I use them exclusively for the Museum I work at. And try to use them for all my personal framing as well.
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mistersmith
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Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:50 pm

JDel wrote: found some blueprints. My great grandfather used to design Potato Chip Machines for UTZ. He made/designed some of the first machines way back in the early/mid 1900's.
That's the coolest damn thing I've read all week. Thanks man. If you have any more pics, especially of anything w/ Utz logos, I'd love to see that.

/she's Boh's girlfriend ya know
electrachrome, mostly kidding wrote:mr smith, EB's poet laureate.
Take this man at his word:
misterx wrote:Don't enter into discourse with me.
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geezer
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Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:15 pm

Research a bit before you frame them. Blueprints fade quick in the light, even with quality supplies.
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