Aluminum foil buffer?

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R

Regi

Grumbler in Training
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Has anyone seen this before? It's an early day Superman comic strip from The Cleveland Plain Dealer from 1944. The framing looks to be from somewhere from the 1970's - 80's, metal frame, regular mat and regular glass with a corrugated backing. They lined the back of the newspaper with aluminum foil. Was that an early day way of buffering from acids? It did seem to be in decent shape other than the usual yellowing from light exposure and had medical tape holding it in. I've been doing this for 39 years and never came across an aluminum foil lining.
 

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It certainly isn't a regular framing practice. However, it might be useful if the frame will hang on an outside wall. Moisture can seep through an exterior wall and cause problems to paper art, backings, and mats within a frame. You might see condensation on the inside of the glass, or even mildew. Aluminum foil could act as a barrier to slow or stop this kind of moisture transfer.
However, based on when this was done, I suspect they might have intended it as a barrier from the acidic corrugated backing. Too bad they used acidic matboard as well. Realistically though, being an item made of essentially that same kind of lignin-laden paper, preservation is an iffy prospect at best.
:cool: Rick
 
Aluminum foil, specifically heavy duty aluminum foil, has been touted as an effective barrier against acid migration by Hugh Phibbs, formerly of the National Gallery, and currently teaching preservation methodology whenever and wherever he can.
Efficacy against humidity is limited to mitigation to varying degrees. Water always seems to find a way.
The piece in question would have parallel burn lines if the corrugated had not been covered with foil.
 
I like the masking tape used to secure the aluminum foil as well. That was a common practice when I started.
With that rubber stamp address on the back of the mat in at least 2 places, I wonder if it spent most if its life in the dry climate of Phoenix, Az?
 
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