A1. National Museum of the Marine Corp Tall Case Clock Final Conservation Report 4-2-25 (REDACTED).pdf

very unstable.

2.) The bracket feet have been partially replaced and they are approximately 2” or more lower in height from their original height.

3.) There are areas of molding and veneer delamination and losses in both the upper and lower case and bonnet.

4.) Portions of the feet have been attached via nails to the case and along a highly fractured frag-ment, note embedded images, circled in red.

5.) Metal rod levelers have been added to the bottom of the case that could be causing undue stress to the bottom of the case, note embedded images, circled in red.

Wood Show Surfaces:

1.) There is significant mahogany veneer replacement and poor incoated and top coated, note em-bedded images, circled in red.

2.) The clock case has been poorly refinished.

3.) There is significant fading of the color due to over exposure to UV and other light sources.

4.) The colors are not historically correct with the cherry and mahogany both highly faded, note em-bedded images, circled in red.

Clock Dial:

1.) There are significant losses to the enameling of the clock face possibly including the clock movements maker, note embedded images, circled in red.

2.) There are paint and ink losses to the clock dial and paint losses to the moon phase dial.

3.) There is a dirt and grime layer present on the clock dials.

Clock Movement:

1.) The clock movement could not be examined to ascertain its condition during our inspection, but the curator indicated that it had a basic maintenance regime conducted by a horologist.

Paper:

1.) The historic hand scripted letter describing ownership, etc. is highly fragmented with significant loss and is subject to high contact with acidic surfaces, note embedded images, circled in red.

ADDITIONAL DAMAGE: Noted in the revised damage assessment and treatment:

1. The trunk and lower case are fully separated, note embedded image.

2. There are losses to 6 glue blocks attaching the trunk to the lower case, note embedded images circled in red.

3.) There are poorly added glue block and nails and screw securing the trunk to the lower case, note embedded image, circled in red.

4.) Additional blocking added at attachment of saddle board, note embedded image circled in red.

5.) There are poorly added corner blocks and leveler system to the bottom of the clock, note em-bedded images, circled in red.

6.) Most of the bottom of the lower case is a replacement and is loose, note embedded images cir-

The trunk door and front panel of the lower case exhibit an unusual construction technique whereby the cabinetmaker drilled relieve holes in the substrate to allow the excess adhesive to flow through the holes and thereby allowing the veneer to be glued to the sub-strate in a completely flat manner, circled in red.

The circa early to mid 19th centu-ry hand written historical paper glued to the interior surfaces of the back is partially delaminating from the back, has suffered nu-merous losses, and there is signif-icant acidification and staining due to the adhesive and wood sub-strate.

The image above depicts the separated lower case from the upper case, the poorly improper feet added to the bracket base, the added blocking at the top of the sides of the case to support the sad-dle board, the fracture to th lower rail of the upper case, and the faded color of the case, circled in red.

The diamond shaped quad-rant mahoga-ny inlay, the triangular shaped ma-hogany inlay, and the cross banded ma-hogany inlay are poorly topcoated, refinished, and portions replaced and do not repre-sent the his-torically cor-rect colora-tion, grain ori-entation, etc., circled in red.

The turned wood finials appear origi-nal as do the pedestals, but the final ped-estals are missing their molded cherry caps as seen in the center pedestal.

Labels and writings:

There are nu-merous presentation surface issues relating to the dial to include significant loss-es to the nu-merals, losses to the enamel and significant wear to the flo-ral quadrants, numerals, hash marks, lines and hemi-spheres. There is also a signifi-cant degraded varnish on the moon phase dial, circled in red. There is also areas of staining creat-ing a brownish discolored sur-face. The hands are gen-erally in good condition, with minor discolor-ation to their presentation surface. There is some very poor painting/ inking of the numbers.

The red circled ares denote the damage and condion issues previously noted.

pear original as do the ped-estals.

The image above depicts the moon phase dial removed and subjected to long wave UV light expo-sure displaying areas of lose and minor inpainting as well as an applied overvarish layer, which has darkened with age.

The clock movement was examined by the assigned ho-rologist at me studio and was transported by the horolo-gist to his shop in . And he indicated that there is wear to several of the gears and bushings.

The image left depicts the clock case during treatment illustrating the removal of the bracket base, the re-moval of lower section from the upper case, and the testing of the coating removal system seen on the upper portion of the trunk door circled in red.

DURING TREATMENT IMAGES

The clock movement was examined by the assigned horologist at my studio and was transported by the horologist to his shop in

There is minor rust development on the backs of the dials and clock plate, circled in red.

DURING TREATMENT IMAGES

The wood analysis was con-ducted by Alden Identification Services, Inc. and the sample was determined to be Chestnut Castamea sp.

DURING TREATMENT IMAGE

NMMC

3 – Clock, Bottom

Chestnut Castanea sp.

AFTER TREATMENT IMAGES

The mage above depicts a very similar Federal period 8 day time and strike tall case clock by Jacob Eby form Manheim, Pa. Ca 1815 in Cherry. The dial was, probably by James Haden and William Jones 1816 –1845 Philadelphia.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ADDITIONAL PROPOSED TREATMENT:

Due to the extant of the poor previous repairs to the structural, additional efforts are required over and above those previously stated to correct the existing structural damage and to correct the poor previous repairs than was previously known and which were indicated in the original approved treat-ment proposal. These additional and more extensive noted damages to the case, presentation sur-faces, clock dials and paper fragmented letter will require additional and more extensive treatments then were estimated in the original treatment proposal. The discovery of these damages is due to the complete accessibility and extensive time we had to fully examine and document the object’s condition. Consequently the estimated cost of treatment Major which was approved will have to be modified to reflect the increased effort and time required to correct the damages. The exact treat-ment plans that will be submitted by the subcontracted conservators for the dials and movement, are unknown at this time and the Major cost of treatment stated in the submitted treatment proposal dat-ed August 26, 2022 may be sufficient to cover these subcontracted costs since the proposal stated that these materials would be treated, however the allotted amounts may not be sufficient and there-by necessitating a contract revision and cost of treatment increase. Also, note that many of the im-ages are highlighted with red circles indicating the specific areas of damage or treatment.

ACTUAL TREATMENT:

Structure:

The trunk and lower case was secured using fish glue after the existing adhesive residue was re-moved with warm water and abrasive pad and scrapper for the nonwatery soluble adhesive as part of a previous repair, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages.

The losses to the 6 glue blocks attaching the trunk to the lower case were replace to match the orig-inals and adhered with fish glue in their original position, note the embedded images for further de-tails in the previous pages The poorly added glue blocks, nails, and screws throughout the case were removed where possible and replaced with appropriate sized glue blocks and wood screws, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages.

The additional blocking added at attachment of saddle board were retained because of the manner that the saddle board is attached to the case, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages.

The poorly added corner blocks and leveler system to the bottom of the clock were removed., New corner glue blocks were fabricated d and secured to the extended bracket feet using fish glue, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages.

The poorly added bottom of the lower case was removed and replaced with a newly fabricated bot-tom that will fit the fragmented original portion of the bottom after it has been consolidated. The new-ly fabricated portion will be fabricated from the same species of wood as the original retained por-tion, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages.

The losses to the lower portions of the bracket base feet were replace with old cherry retaining a aged patina dovetailed in place to match the original. This canted French style dovetailed bracket base is a very unusual form and seems to related to a specific cabinetmakers shop, note the em-bedded images for further details. Also note the introduction portions of this report for additional de-tails regarding the area of production of the case, movement, and dial, note the embedded images in the previous pages.

Presentation Surfaces:

The existing non-original synthetic coatings were removed with a solvent gel followed by a dena-tured alcohol wipe. A small coating window was isolated for further study and reference. The coat-ings were replaced with a combination of dewaxed blonde shellac and red shellac in denatured alco-hol enhanced to achieve the historical appropriate color with Oresol dyes and ground natural pig-ments. Prior to the application of between 6 and 8 layers of the stated finish, the case was abraded to remove the sanding marks from the previous refinishing campaign that relates to the work of the 1960’s to 1990’s. and additional surface marring caused from use. Note the cross-sectional micros-copy report performed by . The newly applied coatings match the original coloration of the cherry and mahogany as well as sheen level and coating thickness, note the embedded images for further details in the previous pages. A maintenance layer of Harrel's paste wax was applied to the case.

Clock Dials:

The treatment of the clock dials were subcontracted to a clock dial restoration expert

The dials had the dirt and grime layer removed with Kotton Klenser and clean cloth pad. The over paint the numbers was removed with a solvent. The gilding was ingilded. The losses to the paint were incoated with an oil based paint system and the losses to the numerals and hemisphere were incoated with a traditional ink solution. A light coat of Mohawk Tone Finish Clear in a stain sheen was applied to the delicate linework to protect it.

Clock Movement:

The treatment of the movement was included in the Major category in the original treatment proposal dated August 26, 2022, but to a lessor extant then is currently proposed. The clock movement will be inspected by the subcontracted horologist and a treatment plan developed and submitted relating to the curator’s specifications as to any requirement for the clock to function as a time keeping in-strument and to what degree of accuracy. The treatment of the clock movement by the first horolo-gist included cleaning, the replacement of two gears,, and the movement was lu-bricated and tested. I was concerned that would not complete the treatment in time so I asked him to return the movement to me, which he did. I then contracted with to reassess and continue the movements treatment. which he did.

treatment included the polishing of the pivots, the resetting of the bushing, and a continuation of the cleaning and lubrication. transported the movement to and from the Once the movement was returned to my studio, it was tested and ran successfully for a week. conducted the movement’s install at the commandant's home and set the clock in beat.

Paper Fragmented Letter:

The historic hand scripted letter describing ownership, etc. will be inspected by a subcontracted pa-per conservators from Quarto and a treatment plan was developed and carried out by the firm. The paper fragment was treated by Quarto at our conservation facility. The paper fragment was treated attached to the back of the case due to the problem of removing it and not causing additional dam-

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

Color Prints: Yes Transparencies: No B&W Prints: No Digital Images: Yes

Full view: Yes Details: Yes Ultraviolet: No Infrared: No Micro: yes

EXAMINATION METHODS

Naked Eye: Yes Hand Lens: Yes Ultraviolet Light: Yes Infrared Light: No

Microscopy: No

RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE

The object should have any particulate layers removed from the surfaces with a micro-fiber cloth with no added polishes or cleaners.

Date: 10-18-24

Natural ground powder pigments

Conservation Support systems

924 W. Pedregosa St.

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Orasol dyes

Conservation Support systems

924 W. Pedregosa St.

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

De-waxed blonde shellac flakes and red shellac flakes

Sapp Leaf Products

381 Park Avenue South

New York, New York 10016

Fish glue

Lee Valley

1090 Morrison Drive

Ottawa Ontario K2H 1C2 Canada

Mixol Universal Colorants

Mixol Product

Diepold GMBH

Denatured alcohol

WoodEpox

Proprietary Solvent Gel

Harrels Paste Wax

APPENDIX: MATERIALS

age, note their supplied treatment report which was emailed to as were the other re-ports. A brief synopsis of their report in included in this report.

June 18, 2024

Treatment Report

Object: Document in Clock

Conservators: Lauren Zummo and Meredith French

Dimensions: 9 ½ x 7 Inches

Description: The document has a paper support of short fibered machine-made paper. The media is a dark blue/black likely fountain pen ink of indeterminate composition.

Condition: The document is adhered inside a grandfather clock with a darkened adhesive on the verso. The document is only partially adhered. There are losses and tears/cracks in the paper support. There is media loss in areas of support loss. There is extensive yellowing and brown staining in areas of adhesive application. Fragments of a cardstock weight paper are existent under some adjacent nails. Possibly there was a window map or some sort of cover over the docu-ment which is no longer present. The media remains legible. The document is brittle and risks further fracture and loss from its current placement.

Treatment Proposed:

Dry clean and HEPA filter vacuum any debris.

Stabilize document in-situ. Removal is not advised because of the fragile nature of the paper support.

Test media to determine applicable adhesive for tissue application.

Apply a facing tissue overall and adhere overhanging edge to wooden support backing to prevent further loss.

Treatment Performed: 1. Took before and after treatment photography using iPhone camera.

2. Lightly dry cleaned using cosmetic sponges.

3. HEPA filter vacuumed document and area inside clock to remove dust and debris.

4. Tested media for solubility in ethanol and found it to be stable.

5. 2% Klucel M coated tissue was tested for adhesion to wooden board and found to be satisfactory for this application.

5. Adhered a lightweight Japanese tissue precoated in 2% Klucel M. Adhesive activated by brushing the object with eth-anol and laying the tissue over the surface of the object. Klucel M coated tissue provided the least obtrusive tissue which did not have a shiny surface and only minimally obscured the text.

6. Tissue was dried underweight to encourage adhesion.

7. Overhanging edges of tissue were adhered to wooden board creating a net of tissue around the document.