Loose, brittle acidic backing board and deteriorated padding
Webber removed the iron tacks and old cardboard backing that had been holding the glass in place in the frame. The cardboard backing was acidic and not in good condition. She noted that there were a couple of sections that bore handwritten inscriptions, which she saved and encapsulated in acid-free Mylar. Once the painting had been fully restored, Webber replaced the original backing board with black acid-free mat board and a sheet of Coroplast®. It was all sealed with Lineco archival sealing tape. This will prevent dust from getting in, add support to the glass and keep the painting from getting damaged from the reverse.