Solange Fitzgerald ACR
Projects
About Me
I am a fully trained professional and an accredited conservator in the preservation and conservation of library and archive materials. I have extensive knowledge in parchment, leather, paper and more recently in textiles, having lead and managed many projects on the most fragile objects in a given collection.
I have experience in supervising and mentoring students at various levels of skills and knowledge.I have experience of carrying out surveys in order to provide a detailed written report proposing best treatment options for any collection, including estimated cost of materials and estimated time of treatment.
I graduated from the University of Reading 1993-1996 BA (Hons) Archaeology, University of Reading, Berkshire. I gained a diploma in Fine Bookbinding and paper conservation at Guildford College (1999-2001). I have been an Accredited member of the Institute of Conservation since 2011.
I have written various peer-reviewed papers for conservation journals and presented at national and international conferences.
Published work: Internal and External Publications
2021: ICON online Spring forum: Conservation out in the open- The challenges of displaying & conserving textiles on open display.
2018: FitzGerald, S. Care and conservation of manuscripts 17, 2021. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”.
2018: FitzGerald, S. Silk seal cords. ICRI, Dublin. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”.
2016: FitzGerald, S. ‘Less invasive in-situ treatment of a 17th century parchment volume. ICON Journal of the Institute of Conservation. Available as open access online.
2009: FitzGerald, S. ‘Treatment of burned paper’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment of burned paper.
2008-2009: Reported outcomes of technical art history research based on examination of selected parts of TNA’s war artist collection.
2008: FitzGerald, S. ‘Degradation of historical paper’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment and non-destructive testing of historical paper.
2007: FitzGerald, S and Speroni, L. ‘Iron Gall Ink Corrosion’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment of paper artifacts damaged by iron gall ink corrosion.
Presentations at conferences
2021: Presentation at Icon textile Spring forum. ICON online Spring forum: Conservation out in the open- “The challenges of displaying & conserving textiles on open display”. Webinar
2018: Presentation at Institute Restorers Conservation Institute Ireland conference. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”, Dublin, Ireland
2018: Presentation at Seventeenth international seminar of the care and conservation of manuscripts Copenhagen 11th – 13th April 2018. (As above)
2018: Presentation poster at 46th Annual meeting Houston, TX. 29th May – 2nd June. (As above)
I am currently based in Reading, Berkshire and I am happy to travel to assess your objects.
Conservation training workshops
2018-19: provided internal training for the repair of silk seal cords.
2017: provided internal training for a tear mending workshop for the treatment of textile map linings.
2013: Adhesives workshop
2011: Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR)
2010: Internal parchment workshop
2010: Securing and mounting documents for access and display workshop
2009: Seal identification and repair workshop
2009: Repairs to parchment covers using lamination of Japanese papers, Wolfenbuttel, Germany.
2009: Chemistry for conservators correspondence course.
2008: Works of art in the 20th century: technical examination, documentation,
2008: Degradation of historical paper, Dr Strlic, UCL Centre for sustainable heritage.
2008: Media identification- works of art in twentieth century-technical examination, documentation, Dorothea Burns, The National Archives, London.
2008: Pigment identification workshop, The National Archives, London
2008: Transparent paper workshop, The National Archives, London
2007: Iron Gall ink workshop, B. Reissland & H. Neeval, The National Archives, London
2006: Aerosols in paper conservation, A. Pataki, The National Archives. London
Published work: Internal and External Publications
2021: ICON online Spring forum: Conservation out in the open- The challenges of displaying & conserving textiles on open display.
2018: FitzGerald, S. Care and conservation of manuscripts 17, 2021. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”.
2018: FitzGerald, S. Silk seal cords. ICRI, Dublin. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”.
2016: FitzGerald, S. ‘Less invasive in-situ treatment of a 17th century parchment volume. ICON Journal of the Institute of Conservation. Available as open access online.
2009: FitzGerald, S. ‘Treatment of burned paper’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment of burned paper.
2008-2009: Reported outcomes of technical art history research based on examination of selected parts of TNA’s war artist collection.
2008: FitzGerald, S. ‘Degradation of historical paper’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment and non-destructive testing of historical paper.
2007: FitzGerald, S and Speroni, L. ‘Iron Gall Ink Corrosion’ Internal report. Synthesis of research to inform treatment of paper artifacts damaged by iron gall ink corrosion.
Presentations at conferences
2021: Presentation at Icon textile Spring forum. ICON online Spring forum: Conservation out in the open- “The challenges of displaying & conserving textiles on open display”.
2018: Presentation at Institute Restorers Conservation Institute Ireland conference. “The conservation of textile linings and seal cords: with a little help from book and paintings conservation”.
2018: Presentation at Seventeenth international seminar of the care and conservation of manuscripts Copenhagen 11th – 13th April 2018. (As above)
2018: Presentation poster at 46th Annual meeting Houston, TX. 29th May – 2nd June. (As above)
Exhibitions
2017-2018: Captain Cook Exhibition. Complete preparation of high profile loan to Australia.
2018- British Library loan preparation and installation.
Continue to prepare documents for external loans.
Client Testimonials
This was an education to have the difference between preventative, conservation and restoration practices explained and outlined to us in a way that it was clear for us to understand. I was amazed that so much of the original leather and covers were repaired in a sympathetic way to guarantee that the Bible will be in use for many years to come. It was really fascinating to work with Solange and to discuss the different steps of the treatment process. We will certainly work with Solange again on future projects.
Church of Ireland
The very Rev Susan GreenTraining
1993-1996 BA (Hons) Archaeology, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire
1999-2001 Diploma in Fine Bookbinding and paper conservation at Guildford College, Surrey
Chemistry for conservators correspondence course, International Academic Projects
Corporate Management Development Programme. A six month management training course.
Work History
2003: Conservation technician, The National Archives, Kew, UK: Conservation treatments of the archives collection. Cleaning and re-housing maps, manuscripts and volumes.
Book and Paper Conservator, The National Archives, Kew, UK: PACR- Attained Professional Accredited Status. Support conservation research through active contribution to and involvement in in-house research projects. Supervise and mentor students. Consult and advise professionals from other institutions relating to conservation matters. Carry out document surveys in order to provide a detailed written report to the Head of Conservation proposing best treatment options for the collection.
2013 – 2019 Book and Paper Conservation Manager, The National Archives, Kew, UK: Managing and developing through mentoring and supervision of work for the Technicians and conservators in the Collection Care Department. Including the allocation of work and technical guidance on techniques and methodology. Provide training on many aspects of conservation to staff, interns and volunteers. 2011 to present: Represent the National Archives as sole conservator in assessing all National Manuscript Cons
Conservator/Researcher practitioner, The National Archives, Kew Carry out extensive research on various objects within the collection that can often be outside area of expertise ranging from volumes, parchment, maps, manuscripts and textiles. Lead on projects by means of research to influence conservation treatments. Working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues, aiming to achieve the most appropriate treatment for the object in question. Preparing documents for external loan.
2021- 22 Conservation Manager Digitisation and large scale operations, The National Archives, Kew, UK: Assessing the condition of documents to enable the large scale digitisation for external clients. Working collaboratively with Licensing and the commercial team and communicating effectively with others in the organisation to facilitate the smooth running of projects to completion. Provide training on many aspects of conservation to staff, interns and volunteers.
