The conservation treatment costs almost the same or even more than the artefact itself… is it worth to treat it at all?

My artefact is not very valuable, hence conserving it shall not be very expensive.

Unfortunately, that is not so.

The cost of a treatment is mostly related to the time spent on conserving it. The market price for very damaged artefacts is lower than those which are in better condition and obviously the treatment costlier the more damaged the artefact, whichever the value. The same as a broken down car has different value from that one that runs smoothly.

If the cost of a conservation treatment surpasses that one of the artefact itself (the book, the document), it is often the consequence of the damages diminishing its value, at least partially, rather than the other way around. Once restored it shall last longer, be more endurable and have better looks, therefore being more valuable.
Whether this balance justifies the treatment or not, is something to be decided by the owner. As a conservator I can only provide the costs of the treatment. The value and meaning of the artefacts is on the grounds of appraisal and also related to the collection it belongs.

All in all, if you think the costs of the treatment are not worth the artefact, but you’d try yourself improving the condition fo your drawing, book or document, please go to the section I’d like some directions for a quick and simple treatment.