Hand Fan/Folding Fan Identification/Conservation

Hi All,
I recently picked up two beautiful hand fans at an estate sale and could use some help. One appears to possibly be mother of pearl with a gold/gilt overlay. The other is tortoiseshell-like (faux?)

1. First, despite doing some basic research, I can't begin to figure out anything about these fans. Does anyone know anything about these? My only clue was that one of the people running the sale said they were WWII vintage. Yeah, that didn't help in the research dept, and I'm thinking she said that because they were framed by Mary Mobley Framing, a business in Atlanta from 1923 or so until maybe late 50s.

2. The tortoiseshell looking sticks fan has a problem with corrosion on the bottom piece. All the gilt is almost gone. Suggestions?

3. And finally, will I do any harm to the value by taking off the paper in the back of the frame and opening it to clean the corrosion? Hubby dear seems to think the intact version is important. I say corrosion is destructive.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

That tortoise fan looks like it has celluloid disease. There's no cure for that, I'm afraid. The photo isn't really clear. Take a good sniff; if you smell vinegar that's heap big trouble in River City. The top one looks like faux mother of pearl, but it could be celluloid too. Don't put them in the same box or the tortoise one might "infect" the one that's still nice. No one I've ever talked to knows why it happens, but heat exposure is a common contributing factor. Once it starts, things keep deteriorating until it all falls apart. I don't know anything about the fans themselves.

 

Thanks Evelyb30. Never heard of celluloid disease, but I really appreciate the warning about mingling the fans! I might have done that not knowing any better!

 

So, no vinegar smell, but guards snapped at mere touch. Heavy sigh! Guessing celluloid disease was correct. They hung on a wall well away from any semblance of direct sun, but the glassed box was pretty air tight. Not opening the other frame until I dispose of this.

 

Hi,
Sorry about your fan. I have had luck by soaking in vinegar for an hour or so. Still have to do every two months or so.
greg

 

I had never heard of celluloid disease. Thank you for teaching me something new.

http://www.celluloidpurses.com/care/

 

"I have had luck by soaking in vinegar for an hour or so"


I'm going to try that next time I buy a lottery ticket !!

Or as soon as I stop laughing & get up off the floor....!!!

( & yes....the keyboard followed me to the floor too !! )

 

Hi Komo,
You too shall become old and I hope people laugh at you too.
greg

 

I've always wondered how it felt to soak in vinegar.........
Edit: Not tooooo far behind you greg.....and no-one's laughing!!! It's the fun of the journey that counts!!!!!

 

So, while on the subject of fans, my mom acquired this in one of the many old houses she purchased for contents MANY years ago.....I believe it's somewhere in 1800's.....and the lower part is wood, I believe....opened, it is 24" wide, height is 14"......any other info anyone would care to offer??? I would really appreciate it as I know ZIP about fans!! Would the feathers be boa? Is the fabric silk? Thanks in advance!!!! Edit: Oh, and I think that may be a tiny mother of pearl ? at the hangar.
Sue

 

I would venture....ostrich feathers...

 

I'm not laughing at you , I'm laughing because of what you wrote !

I love making people laugh !! It's my M.O. !

& while my body ages....my mind does not !

 

Still, VERY pretty dlk777!!!!

 

Thanks, Komo!! Would the painting be on silk???

 

it's possible but the fabric looks to sturdy for silk...
it's hard to tell , even from you nice photo's...

 

OOh, gorgeous feather fan! And, to the sad news. The faux tortoise fan guards snapped/crumbled when touched. I barely handled it at all and was really freaked when it just snapped, but then the crumbling told me all I needed to know. Heavy sigh! Way past soaking in vinegar

 

I'm going to keep the other one framed. It doesn't show any signs of issues and it is really pretty!

 

And that keeps it from deteriorating further?

 

Lovely fans. That's a shame about the celluloid one.

I've had quite a few celluloid buttons, and ruined some by keeping them in soft plastic boxes and bags. I forget what's in the plastic that the celluloid doesn't like. I now only put them in acid-free ultra clear-type bags.

 

Thanks, Pat.