Liu Family Collection Acquired and Preserved by Hoover Archives

This collection of early twentieth-century land deeds and contracts from the Zhejiang region of China offers a valuable glimpse into China’s real estate market from the 1880s to the 1930s.

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The deeds arrived at Hoover tightly bundled.

Age and brittleness prevented the deeds from being unfolded.

Age and brittleness prevented the deeds from being unfolded.

The paper and humidification process was tested before a treatment plan was developed.

The Preservation Department's humidification chamber, with a land deed inside, is ready to be closed.

Each page was hydrated in the humidification chamber.

This deed is now ready for flattening.

After humidification, a sheet is carefully flattened.

A page is measured and prepared for encapsulation.

Three deeds after they have been encapsulated.