Wet cards: what to do based on what you see (triage)
With wet cards, first stop the water if it is safe, move the dry part of the collection away and avoid heat, pressure and forced separation; if pieces are stuck, finishes are lifting, the water was dirty or the cards are valuable, ask a conservator before trying anything. Pick what you see to get the careful response for that case.
First steps in any case
- If the area is not safe, people come first; contaminated water needs specialist help.
- Move boxes that are still dry away without opening them.
- Photograph the containers and visible damage, and note the date and the source of the water; keep the packaging if it happened in transit.
- Work in labelled groups (box A, album B) and keep each card linked to its group.
- Never use an oven, microwave, iron, hot hair dryer or direct sun.
Sources and checks
Triage table and steps from our wet cards guide, based on the US National Archives guidance for wet paper.