Behind the scenes at RAMM: Bus Inspector’s hat conservation

Conservation student Rocio Gonzalez-Oyarce has been with us since October 2023. She is doing her professional practice as a requirement for her MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects at Durham University. During Rocio’s time at RAMM she has been involved with getting objects ready for our new exhibition Are we nearly there yet? In this blog she tells us about a 1960s Bus Inspector’s hat she worked on.

Sometimes objects are good condition and just need a bit of dusting. This was the case for this hat used by a bus inspector in Exeter during the 1960s. However, this does not mean it does not have an interesting story to tell.

Assessing the object

In conservation, we delve into an object’s makeup to help us understand its history. We identified the materials used in the object’s manufacture. This revealed a fascinating complexity in this hat’s composition. The hat is made of wool felt with a braided band of oakleaf vine pattern, possibly horse hair. The yellow embroidered letters are stitched with cotton thread, while the strap and the visor are plastic-based (maybe polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC).

Then, inside, we can see a leather band. Underneath the leather is a band of buckram (probably linen impregnated with an adhesive or gum). It is is covered by interlining and the remains of decayed polyurethane foam. Also, the crown’s interior has a shiny grey textile lining, which is most likely a synthetic fibre.

Conserving the object

The interior leather band had some staining. So, I tried different methods to remove the darkening. I used dry alternatives, for example, soft cosmetic sponges. They help prevent changing the leather’s size or causing lines from solvent evaporation.

I needed to address two issues with the plastic components of this hat: the crumbling foam and fingerprints on the peak.

Both issues were managed by reducing manual manipulation of this area, as the crumbling of the foam cannot be fixed. While the fingerprints have oil residues, they haven’t caused further decay. With the tech team’s help, we created a mount to maintain the hat’s shape and reduce unnecessary handling. This mount also frees the peak from any pressure that could cause the plastic to deform.

A key part of conservation is knowing when an object requires no further intervention. The hat only needed light cleaning to prevent damage from foreign matter. If you want to learn more about how this hat was used, you can see it and other transport related objects in the exhibition Are we nearly there yet? from 15th June – 29th September 2024.