In December we often think about gifts and whimsical surprises found inside beautifully wrapped packages. This past year the Conservation Lab at Tryon Palace had its own surprise when opening the back of a mirror. A late 18th-century architectural-style looking glass in the collection came into the lab to examine its stability, reinforce its backing, and prepare for storage or future exhibit. When the backboard was lifted out of the frame, what was found inside was quite a surprise to staff conservator Richard Baker. Nine newspapers had been placed inside the mirror between the silver backed glass surface and the backboard. The dates for these newspapers spanned a period from 1770 to 1876. Not only were we fascinated by the discovery of so many old newspapers but also by how intact some were. One newspaper included the first section of The New York Herald, dated November 13, 1863. A second newspaper had the complete twelve pages of the next day’s newspaper for the Herald on November 14, 1863. The oldest was the Boston Gazette and Country Journal from March 1770. One newspaper has no date we could find, but it does make reference to the “recent” Crystal Palace New York fire, which occurred on October 5, 1858.
It was not uncommon for mirror restorers to place one or two newspapers between the glass and backboard to act as a spacer, but to have so many span a period over a hundred years is a mystery.
On December 18, go Behind the Scenes at the Conservation Lab to see some of the newspapers and the mirror they were found in, as well as other projects currently occurring in the lab. The tour is at 2 p.m. and space is limited. Visit www.tryonpalace.org for more information.
By Richard Baker, Tryon Palace Conservation Specialist