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Project of the Month for September, 2008
Hackett Middle School
This project involved the restoration of three world globes on glass dating to 1927. The globes were in poor shape due to vandalism and neglect. Much of the painting was scratched off or lifting from the glass. The metal finishes had deteriorated. Eleven glass panels were cracked and had to be replaced. Each globe was from a different time, from the 1500s to 1927.
We picked up the globes at site and transported them to our facility. After a light dusting, detailed photographs were taken of each panel for use during restoration. We slumped new panels to replace the damaged panels and leaded them in place. The globes were extensively cleaned and all loose and soiled paint removed. There was very little original paint left. New paints were mixed to match each panel. The paints had to match in translucency, color and pigments had to be UV stable.
Enough of the paint was missing to make the task of repainting difficult without research into each globe and the proper names for each region, for the period in question. The painting process was painstaking and time consuming.
While the globes were being refinished, the metalwork had to be restored. After investigation we determined that the original finishes were blackened nickel plating with gold plated accents. The parts were re-plated where needed and original plating was preserved where possible. All metalwork received a clear lacquer finish.
The globes were re-lit with two (2) PL18 quad tube lamps and an electronic ballast to ensure that re-lamping would be less frequent to minimize the possibility of damage to the globe from both handling and heat. The chains were shortened one foot to raise the globes out of reach.
We are quite proud of our workmanship and attention to detail on this project.
Featured Project Archives:
Historic Smithville, NJ - August 2008
April, 2008 - Residence of the Turkish Ambassador
March, 2008 - Midway Slots, Harrington, DE
February, 2008 - Milton Hershey School, Catherine Hall
November/December, 2007 - Baltimore School for the Arts
October, 2007 - Princeton University, Whitman College
August/September 2007 - Pittman United Methodist Church
February/March 2007 - Wyoming Mall
December 2006/January 2007 - Drexel University
October/November, 2006 - Johnson Park
August/September, 2006 - Indiana Supreme Court Conference Room
June/July, 2006 - York County Courthouse
April/May, 2006 - Indiana Supreme Court
February, 2006 - Cheyney University, Carnegie Library
January, 2006 -Princeton University, Jones Hall
December 2005 - Woolston Family and Child Center
October/November, 2005 - Princeton University Holder Hall
August/September 2005 - William Penn High School, York PA
April/May 2005 - Independence Hall
March, 2005 - Babe Ruth Museum
Dec. 2004/Jan. 2005 - Old State Dept. Renovation
October, 2004 - Second Bank of the United States
September, 2004 - Spring Valley YMCA
August, 2004 - US Army War College
July, 2004 - St. Paul's Rock Creek Parish
May, 2004 - NYSCOA Conference Room Modified
April, 2004 - Blue Mountain School
March, 2004 - Congregation Beth Am Israel
February, 2004 - NYSCOA Conference Room
December, 2003/January, 2004 - Harry's Seafood Restaurant
November, 2003 - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
October, 2003 - New York State Court of Appeals Courtroom
September, 2003 - Jim Thorpe K-8
May, 2003 - David W Harlan Elementary School
March/April, 2003 - Brandywine Pumping Station
February, 2003 - St. Mary's Church, Annapolis, MD
January, 2003 - Roebling Marketplace
December, 2002 - American Psychological Association
November, 2002 - DC Council Chambers
October, 2002 - The Union League
September, 2002 - Congregation Rodeph Shalom
August, 2002 - Tenth Presbyterian Church
July, 2002 - Penn Wynne Elementary School
June, 2002 - University of Pennsylvania Etruscan Exhibit
May, 2002 - First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Carlisle, PA
April, 2002 - Finance Building, Harrisburg, PA
March,2002 - University of Pennsylvania Museum
November, 2001 - Holme Circle Shopping Center
October, 2001 - Sovereign Building
September, 2001 - Holland Middle School
August, 2001 - Conemaugh Hospital
July, 2001 - Pennsylvania Hospital
June, 2001 - Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
May, 2001 - Glen Mills School Library
April, 2001 - Pennsylvania State Office Building
March, 2001 - United Way of Southeastern, Pennsylvania