It often happens that it is impossible to separate a picture from the article treating of it, for the reason that one side of the page gives the print and the other side the description. This difficulty is remedied by
Splitting the Paper,
which will give two layers of uniform thickness, and if there are pictures on each side of the paper they may both be preserved. Cut two pieces of perfectly smooth muslin a little larger all around than the sheet of paper to be split. Dampen one of the pieces of muslin and lay it out smooth on an even, flat surface; cover one side of the paper to be split with a thin layer of very strong paste or glue and carefully place the paper, paste-side down, on the muslin; lay it out flat and be sure it does not wrinkle; then cover the other side of the paper with paste and place the second dampened piece of muslin over it. Be certain that the muslin adheres over the entire surface of both sides of the paper. Should it fail in places, the spots of paper not clinging to the muslin will tear out during the splitting. See that the paste extends to the outermost edges of the paper, and do not forget that muslin, paper, and paste must all be smooth. Use a rolling-pin to secure uniform adhesion. When the pasting is done, let it dry, and after it has dried perfectly, separate the two pieces of muslin at one corner, and the paper will begin to split if the work has been properly done. Continue opening the edges until all four sides are partially separated, and the fission of the paper just beginning; then a firm pull will entirely separate the two pieces of muslin and, at the same time, split the paper. If you experiment on a small piece of paper before attempting the picture you will better understand the process. To remove the muslin from the paper, soak it in hot water; place the water in a basin large enough to admit of the muslin lying out flat. Let the paper side be underneath, so that the muslin may be easily removed when it detaches itself from the paper. Should any bits of paste remain on the paper, soak them off; move the paper gently in the water back and forward, until the paste is washed away; then lift the paper from the water by placing a thin stick of wood under one edge and carefully drawing the wet picture out; it will hang like a curtain from the stick. Let the water drip off; then lay the paper down flat and smooth on a piece of blotting-paper, picture-side up. When nearly dry, place the picture between two sheets of pasteboard, and leave it under a weight until quite dry. Mount split pictures on white card-board; gray will show through the thin paper. On the back of each mounting-board fasten two small brass rings by which
Fig. 143.
To Hang the Picture
Slide a ring on a short piece of tape and glue the ends of the tape at one side on the back and near the top of the picture to form a hook (Fig. 143, H). Do the same with a second ring and tape. When both tapes are securely fastened on the mounting-board, paste over each a strip of tough paper or muslin (Fig. 143, P). If a wire be fastened on the rings, the pictures may hang from the picture-moulding around the room, or the collection can depend upon nails for support. If desirable, the rings may fit over tacks driven in the wall.
Fig. 144 at the beginning of the chapter gives a girl’s collection of reproductions from famous paintings. The pictures can be kept in
A Portfolio
made expressly for the purpose, should there be no wall-space on which to hang them. Make the portfolio of two strong, stiff pieces of pasteboard, cut large enough to extend one inch beyond each of the four sides of the mounted designs so as to preclude all possibility of damage to the edges of the work. Sew a length of brown tape at each corner of the two sides of the portfolio, making in all eight pieces of tape, four on each pasteboard; then lay each cover down on a piece of denim and mark four spots on the cloth, corresponding to the places where the tapes are fastened on the pasteboard.