Consolidating chalk drawings

What might be the appropriate treatment for a set of chalk drawings
that require consolidation? The collection in question forms part of
an historically important collection donated to the present
custodians on the basis that it must be available to the public for
viewing.

Every time the material is brought out for viewing the chalk surface
migrates from the paper,the custodial and conservation team
responsible for this material are looking for a means of inducing
some form of consolidating agent that will effectively "fix" the
surface without damaging it in any way.

One idea was the possibility of spraying the surface with a solution
of methyl magnesium carbonate containing a cellulose size but the
conservation team are naturally concerned as to whether (a) this
would work and (b) whether any damage might occur to the chalk as a
result. Can anyone offer any advice?

Mark Vine
Conservation Resources
England

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:23
                  Distributed: Friday, August 30, 1996
                       Message Id: cdl-10-23-011
                                  ***