What does mould damage look like?

During mould growth, digestive enzymes cause weakening of the surface. This can impact significantly on the condition of a document and lead to irreversible damage, including:

  • Adhesion and/or blocking – through the addition of moisture, pages are stuck together and cannot be turned or separated easily (fig. 9-10), leading to loss of information
  • Breakdown in mechanical strength of substrate – a document becomes difficult to handle without causing further damage (fig. 11-12)
  • Losses – where significant portions of a document have been detached or completely dissociated (fig. 13-14), leading to loss of information
An original paper manuscript, with a page lifted up to show the damage between the pages. They are greyed and deteriorating severely at the edges. Severe discolouration can also be seen.

Figure 9 – E 190/5/4

A close-up of the original manuscript that appears in Figure 9. The greyed and deteriorating top edge of the document can be seen, as a gloves hand uses a thin tool to prise two pages apart.

Figure 10 – E 190/5/4

A corner of an original manuscript, showing holes in the paper caused by mould damage.

Figure 11 – C 101/1246

A corner of what appears to be a land survey, showing discolouration and deterioration of the edges.

Figure 12 – IR 58/21229

An ornately written manuscript roll, displaying crisping at the edges, a rust brown stain down the middle-right of the document, and holes in the paper. A small detached piece of the document can also be seen, placed on top of the roll.

Figure 13 – SC 6/CHARLESI/1703/1705

An original handwritten and tabulated record. Holes in the document and deterioration of the edges is very apparent.

Figure 14 – E 190/585/21

For further information on the ecology of mould, please refer to [hyperlink to Ecology of Mould pages]