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Conserve 1938 'A. Lincoln' nameplate from front door of Lincoln Home (HS-01)
Lincoln Home National Historic Site » Conserve 1938 'A. Lincoln' nameplate from front door of Lincoln Home (HS-01) » Document List
In 1938, a glass and brass nameplate was placed on the front door of the Lincoln Home to replicate the original installed by Abraham Lincoln in the 1850s. The original was placed in storage at what is now the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the replica stayed on the front door since 1938. The door, which was not the original, has been replaced several times with the nameplate always attached in the center of the door. At some point, the nameplate, which is reverse silver leaf and paint on glass, was losing the paint so three straps of packing tape were applied directly on the paint to keep it attached. Some thin cardboard strips were also installed between the glass and the door, presumably to help keep the glass in the frame better. The nameplate is now badly in need of conservation. Some of the paint has irreversibly attached itself to the packing tape and the silver leaf is tarnished almost to the point that the silver and black paint all look the same. There is adhesive failure between the leaf and the black paint and some paint loss throughout. The glass has scattered scratches and the surface has a layer of grime.
Several proposals are possible for a) complete conservation, b) redo the paint using the original glass and frame or c) replace glass, frame and paint. The park is leaning toward choice b) redo the paint using the original glass and frame.
Several proposals are possible for a) complete conservation, b) redo the paint using the original glass and frame or c) replace glass, frame and paint. The park is leaning toward choice b) redo the paint using the original glass and frame.