We went boxing this morning and found a box that had a completely soggy (DRIPPING) logbook. It appeared as if an animal had chewed open a hole in the bag and water had gotten in. It was completely full of stamps, too. We replaced the logbook with a new one from our bag and double bagged it in new baggies, and basically repaired the box as best we could. We brought the logbook home to try and dry it out and send it to the owner. (not registered on AQ.)

My question: what is the best way to dry out a logbook? Right now it's just sitting in front of the fireplace, but is there a tried and true method to dry it out and save the stamps?

Any and all suggestions would be helpful!

Thanks,

Gischer Gryffindors

I don't know what kind of paper you're having to work with, but if it's stiffer paper, like card stock or index cards or something like that, I'd suggest actually separating the pages as much as possible. If not, the paper, in some places, will fuse together and become a paper log. If it's regular paper, you might try that as well, but I don't know that the pages wouldn't tear.

Also, you MIGHT (i'm NOT guaranteeing this) try putting your oven on warm...like 150 degrees, leaving the door propped open, and letting the pages 'bake'. Basically, you're evaporating the water more quickly.

I hope this helps some. Hopefully someone else may have a silver bullet!

It's an inexpensive "Autograph" book... like I had when I was a kid. The pages are rather thin. Do you think I should open it periodically to different pages to increase the drying process?

I don't know that it would increase the drying process, but it might increase the chance of keeping some of the stamp images. That's the real issue here, trying to rescue images...and sometimes it's a lost cause. However, keep working with it. As long as the paper holds up, and will let you switch pages, and you gently pull them apart, I'd keep doing it. The fireplace might actually be the best place, given the type of book and thin paper you're working with.

Drying things in the oven is very tricky, especially if you are trying to preserve color. It also tends to warp the shape.
This is going to sound like a pain in the neck, but this is what I would do:

Place a layer of wax paper next to the stamped side of the pages. Next, place a layer of good paper towels (not the cheap stuff) on top of that. Then very carefully, close the book as much as you can and weigh it down with a heavy book. Hopefully, this will press most of the water out of the pages from the back side so that you don't end up absorbing the ink from the stamps on the front. You may have to change the paper towels one or more times.
Also, call a larger library near you and ask if they have a restoration/preservation department that could give you some suggestions.

If the logbook was dripping, anything that you do is a long shot at best. Good luck, though! I'm sure the placer will appreciate your efforts. I know I would!
Stacy

Here are a couple of links with some helpful information:
http://theepicenter.com/tow05166.html

http://www.nla.gov.au/pres/conver/181095.html

S

Oops! One more (but it's new information, so it's okay, right?):
http://www2.lib.udel.edu/Preservation/wet_books.htm

same thing happened to us, we brought it home and I placed the logbook on the vent. we have a forced air furnance, the book is warped, BUT most of the images that weren't ruined to start with are ok. I did take it off and turn the pages several times that night too. Good Luck!

I've had success standing the logbook open and upright and fanning the pages to let them dry as individually as possible, occasionally refanning them. It took about 4 days. My sister has blow-dried a logbook with success also.

Amyrica

We researched this on one of the yahoo groups and the guaranteed process is to freeze the logbook, dry one page at a time with a hair dryer. Stop and refreeze it when the rest of the logbook starts to defrost (this takes patience as you may need to repeat the freezing process several times).

Getting it frozen quickly is the most important thing

Quote

We researched this on one of the yahoo groups and the guaranteed process is to freeze the logbook, dry one page at a time with a hair dryer. Stop and refreeze it when the rest of the logbook starts to defrost (this takes patience as you may need to repeat the freezing process several times).

Getting it frozen quickly is the most important thing

wow....i never would have guessed to do this.
now i feel bad cause i have several of celtic quinns boxes when we discovered them wet, and i fear that we ruined the logbook now by putting it in front of the fire, or even just sitting out.
now i will diffenitly try this method next time.
thank you so much

kwm *sad and blushing*

GEE.... You could of asked your mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We know all! Ion't know about the hair dryer along with the freezer though. That was new to me.

Thanks!

The few I have tried to rescue have been beyond that point, I think, as they have already had mildew and/or worms eating away at the pages. I did the old stamp collector trick of cutting the stamps out of the pages and drying them stamp side up on a paper towel. Still quite faded but at least something could be saved. Your suggestion would work better with the ones where the pages are just starting to stick together.