No. I provide written estimates at no cost. If you live in Manhattan or Brownstone Brooklyn I can assess the item in your home. If you live further away, you can bring the item to my studio (by appointment only). If neither of these options work, you can send your item to me by either FedEx or UPS. Both offer inexpensive Ground service with reasonable insurance rates. Please contact me in advance for packing and shipping instructions.

Every conservation treatment is different and depends upon the individual piece and its conservation needs. While I cannot provide an exact cost estimate without physically seeing the piece, I can offer you a ballpark estimate if you provide a description of the piece as well as photos of front and back and details of damaged areas. Once I examine the actual item I will provide a firm estimate.

Most treatments can be completed within three weeks, though more complicated treatments may take longer. Rush jobs may be accommodated but will incur an additional fee.

No, in fact quite the opposite. Works of art on paper, unlike antique furniture or other items, do not acquire a valued patina as they age. Auction prices for works on paper increase with condition; a cleaned Picasso print will sell for much more than a discolored, stained one. Additionally, the difference in price between the treated and untreated print is often substantially greater than the cost of treatment, making conservation a good investment.

If you look at the selection of before and after photos in the gallery, you should get an idea of what types of pieces can be cleaned. Pencil drawings and most prints can be treated overall; most watercolors and ink drawings (or anything signed in ink) cannot be, though localized reduction of staining (tape stains, mat burn, foxing, etc.) is often possible.

No. Unfortunately, once a pigment fades it cannot be restored.

I, Jonathan P. Derow, treat every item myself. I do not use assistants, interns, or students. You can read more about me here or view my resume here.

I carry conservator's liability insurance of up to $100,000 per piece. Most pieces will also be covered under your homeowner's policy or your art insurance policy. If you require additional insurance it can be provided at very reasonable rates.