“The Titanic Then and Now: a Legendary Collection Revisited”

NACE Symposium, Washington DC, 2008

Speaker: Patty Miller
Author: Patty Miller

ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of the RMS Titanic in 1985, more than 5,000 artifacts have been recovered from the wreck-site and professionally conserved for display in exhibitions which travel the world.  Artifacts represent a diverse array of modern materials, ranging from small personal affects to a 17-ton section of the iron hull.  Due to the relatively modern nature of the Titanic, complex composite artifacts from this site such as navigational tools and modern materials including rubber and synthetic ivory artifacts present a variety of unique challenges.  Conservators had a recent opportunity to examine artifacts recovered from the earliest expedition in 1987 through the most recent in 2004. Issues of conservation maintenance, re-treatment, and how the condition of these artifacts informs present thinking about maritime conservation will be discussed.