Analytical Techniques used for condition assessment of the Historical Prints from Belzoni's Atlas entitled "Plates Illustrative of the Researches and Operations of G. Belzoni in Egypt"

Abstract

The studied historical printed plates, are dated back to the 19th century, and they are from an illustrating atlas of Belzoni's explorations and operations in Egypt. The Belzoni's Atlas is one of the outstanding pictorial records of Egyptology at this period. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of deterioration of rare historical printed plates, using different analytical techniques; pH values, color change measurements, isolation and identification of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), investigation of the surface morphology by