| BLEED-THROUGHS/
SEE-THROUGHS
A bleed-through occurs when writing (particularly markers), other
marks or stains that are on the back of the poster are absorbed
into the paper and are then seen on the front. A see-through occurs
when tape, marks or stains, mostly writing on the back side of
the poster, particularly with a black grease pencil, can be "seen"
on the front of the poster but has not been absorbed into the
paper.
A
see-through can generally only be seen if the poster is held up
to the light, but a bleed-through can be seen on the front in
any light or position.
CAUSES
Some
bleed-throughs and see-throughs occur because store owners and
office managers used the backside of posters as "bulletin
boards." They placed posters in the windows of the stores
and used the back side of the poster to write other information,
or to tape other pictures or notes on the back of the poster.
In order for the writing to be visible from a distance, heavy
markers were used thus creating either a bleed-through or a see-through
blemish.
Some
bleed-throughs and see-throughs are the result of using different
types of tape to repair holes or tears in the poster. Some adhesive
tapes are very acidic, and the acid will eventually eat through
the poster. Less acidic tapes may not actually bleed through the
paper, but can create see-throughs.
IMPACT
ON POSTER VALUE
The
location, size and prominence of the bleed-through or see-through
as seen on the front will determine just how much value the poster
loses because of its existence. If the bleed-through or see-through
occurs on the border only, the value of the poster is not adversely
affected. However, if they affect the artwork, the value of the
poster is greatly diminished.
REPAIRING
If
bleed-throughs are the result of an alcohol-based marker (such
as a "Magic Marker"), the mark is absorbed into the color fiber
of the poster. The only way to correct this type of bleed-through
is to remove the mark through a controlled bleaching process,
and then the color re-added to the pigment of the area of the
poster where the original color was bleached out. THIS MUST BE
DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL RESTORER.
Tape
can sometimes be removed through a continuous controlled washing
and flushing process. This MUST BE DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL RESTORER.
See-throughs
can only be seen when there is light behind the poster. To eliminate
the "shadow" effect of a see-through, simply frame the poster,
eliminating the light source.
Poster
Index
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