What a Condition Report Records for a Work on Paper
A condition report records the physical state of a work at a specific moment. It gives owners and stewards a clear written reference for decisions around sale, loan, insurance, shipment, and long-term collection records.
A record at a point in time
Works on paper respond to light, humidity, atmospheric pollutants, handling, framing, mounts, adhesives, and their own material history. A condition report describes the state of the work as it is examined so that there is a reference point for later comparison.
The report is not a prediction. It is a structured record of what is observed at the time it is prepared.
When a report may be useful
A report may be useful before a change of custody, before travel, during insurance planning, when considering a sale or loan, or as part of a collection’s documentation. It can document visible features and indicate whether a further conservation discussion is appropriate.
What to include in an inquiry
Please describe the work, its current location, and the reason a report is needed. Include the timing of the decision where known. Recto and verso photographs are useful when available.