Preliminary work has been done in the art conservation program at Queen's University to characterize animal glues in terms relevant to conservation, and to determine how glue may be affected by preparation variables. A range of tests was performed with products from three different glue groups: gelatin, rabbit skin glue, and isinglass. Three samples were taken from each test product and all were made up according to a standardized procedure. One of the three was given no further treatment. The pH of the second sample was adjusted to neutrality. The third sample was given a prolonged heat treatment. The pH, viscosity and surface tension of the resulting solutions were measured. Unsupported films were also cast from the various solutions and subjected to uniaxial creep and creep recovery testing. The mechanical tests were performed in humidity chambers at three different levels of elevated RH: 76per thousand, 81per thousand, and 93per thousand.