A friend of mine just gave me three w/t capes that were tanned a few years ago that have never been rehydrated. I said he gave them to me but he said he would like to have $75 in return. Are these capes still mountable? If so, should they be treated differently than freshly tanned capes? Thanks.
Wyatt
There is not anyone who can say without seeing them. Otherwise it is only a guess. I guess they are fine, try one and see.
Wyatt the question to ask is what type of tan was used. If they were tanned at a tannery, chances are 50/50 that it was an alum tan. After being dried for several years acid can build up in the leather, which becomes "active" in water causing a catastrophic disintegration of the skin. My experience has been that less than 6-7 years they are usually okay; I've mounted a number of pieces in that age range.
It is impossible to tell by looking at the dry skin. It may be supple and stretchy while dry; not cracked or discolored, but still not survive rehydration.
On the other hand, if the tan was Rittels EZE-100 or other syn-tan, you can proceed without worry. Skins tanned with these have an indefinite shelf life.
If you trim a piece of skin from somewhere that won't show (you'll probably at least need an inch wide) and soak it up, look for any drastic changes that aren't normal. A profound darkening, any apparent extrusion from the piece, if it seems to flatten out, or of course if it becomes weak and you're able to tear it, indicates that they probably won't be any good to you.
As far as I know, there is nothing you can do to positively counteract the damage. If the capes are yours and the alternative is to discard them anyway, you could try soaking them up in a neutralization bath for 20 minutes. I'd be real interested in hearing the outcome.
If "a few years" means 2 to 5, and you find out they were tanned at a tannery, chances a very good that they will be fine.