Valvasor's library is a unique example of a Seventeenth century personal library, including over 7300 prints and 1530 books. Today, it is kept in the Metropolitan Library of the Zagreb Archdiocese which is part of the Croatian State Archives. In this study, we analysed a selection of papers from Valvasor's collection (VC) of unknown origin and composition. We used a dual approach, combining the results of the analyses of two sets of samples to find the most useful tools for the characterization of historical handmade papers. 144 randomly selected papers were included in the study. As the VC is a cultural heritage, only non-destructive analyses were used, such as visual inspection, surface imaging, measurements of thickness and the determination of optical properties (brightness, yellowness, opacity and gloss). According to the optical properties, papers from the VC could be characterized as yellowish and opaque, without gloss. Due to the fact that the VC papers could not be destroyed, we took another set of samples consisting of 10 historical papers (HP) from archival materials, dating from the 16th to nineteenth century, and subjected them to non-destructive, as well as micro-destructive analyses. This was done to supplement the findings of non-destructive analyses of the original collection. Initially, spot tests were performed to determine water absorbency and to identify the presence of lignin and starch in the paper samples. SEM–EDS and XRF were applied for the identification of inorganic elements. FTIR analyses were used to identify the chemical structures of the paper components. Microscopic analyses were performed in two ways: the paper surface was imaged with a digital microscope, and the morphological characteristics of the fibres were studied using an optical microscope. The dominant fibres present were flax and hemp, with a smaller proportion of cotton. Additionally, thick and thin light brown fibres resembling straw were detected. The presence of calcium-containing components, gelatine and alum could be confirmed with SEM–EDS, XFR and FTIR analysis. Comparing the results of analyses performed on two sets of samples a connection was explored by which it was possible to define the characterization of VC papers. The main goal of the study was to document and characterize a specific collection for the future use of researchers of handmade paper or paper conservators. Furthermore, the study may serve as a model approach for other researchers who seek to document the characteristics of paper in their collections.
Valvasor's library is a unique example of a 17th-century personal library, which includes over 7,300 prints and 1530 books. Today, it is part of the Metropolitan Library of the Archdiocese of Zagreb, kept in the Croatian State Archives. In this study, 17th-century papers from Valvasor's collection (VC) of unknown origin and composition were analysed. To determine the compositions of those papers, a dual approach was used, combining the results of analyses of two sets of samples. For the first set of samples, composed of 144 papers from VC, which are cultural heritage materials, only non-destructive analyses of paper properties were performed. Surface imaging, measurements of thickness, and determinations of optical properties (brightness, yellowness, opacity, and gloss) were carried out. According to the optical properties, papers from VC could be characterized as yellowish and opaque, without gloss. The second set of samples was composed of 10 historical paper (HP) samples collected from archival materials dating from the 16th to 19th centuries; non-destructive analyses of the paper composition were also performed. Initially, spot tests were performed to determine water absorbency and to identify the presence of lignin and starch in the paper samples. SEM-EDS and XRF were applied for the identification of inorganic elements. FTIR analyses were used to identify the chemical structures of the paper components. Microscopic analyses were performed in two ways: the paper surface was imaged with a digital microscope, and the morphological characteristics of the fibres were studied using an optical microscope. The dominant fibres present were flax and hemp, with a smaller proportion of cotton. Additionally, thick and thin light brown fibres resembling straw were detected. The presence of calcium-containing components, gelatine and alum could be confirmed with SEM-EDS, XFR and FTIR analysis. Comparing the results of analyses performed on two sets of samples enabled us to predict the composition of 17th-century papers from VC.
Valvasor's library is a unique example of a 17th-century personal library, which also includes over 7.300 prints. Today, it is part of the Metropolitan Library of the Archdiocese of Zagreb. In this study, the 17th-century papers in Valvasor's collection of unknown origin and composition were analysed. In order to determine the composition of these papers, a dual approach was used, by combining results obtained by non-destructive and destructive analyses from two sets of samples. On 144 paper sheets from Valvasor’s collection only non-destructive analyses were performed, whereas both, non-destructive and destructive analyses were performed on the second set of samples, 10 historical paper fragments, dating from 16th to 19th centuries. Among non-destructive analyses, surface imaging, measurements of thickness, surface pH and optical properties (brightness, yellowness, opacity, and gloss) of papers were carried out. Optical properties characterized the samples as yellowish, opaque papers without gloss. Destructive analyses performed on the historical paper fragments went deeper into their composition and properties. Initially, spot tests were performed to determine absorbency, an identify lignin and starch in paper samples. Of the elementary analyses, SEM-EDS and XRF analyses for the identification of inorganic elements and FTIR analysis to identify chemical bonds in fibers, fillers, and sizes were applied. Microscopic analyses were performed in two ways - the paper surface was imaged with a digital microscope and the morphological characteristics of the fibers were studied using an optical microscope. Different fibers and components were discovered in fragments of historical papers, thus confirming their presence in handmade paper over four centuries. The dominant fibers were flax and hemp, with a smaller proportion of cotton. Also, thick and thin light brown fibers resembling straw were observed. The presence of calcium containing components, probably calcium carbonate as filler, gelatin and alumn could be confirmed. Relating the composition of historical papers with surface pH and optical properties of papers enabled us to predict the composition of 17th-century papers in Valvasor's collection.
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