Sometimes my job as a conservator involves encapsulating the flowers that were sent in a 19th century envelope addressed to the 19th century novelist and poet George Meredith.

Polyester encapsulation is not the same as lamination; the inert polyester plastic is never directly adhered to any of the items within, only the edges are sealed together using our ultrasonic welder.

Now that the flowers are encapsulated, they can be handled safely without having any of their pieces fall off onto the floor or into other nearby collections materials. It also protects them from being eaten by library pests.