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We Are History Keepers Workshop Guidebook: 7. Collecting and Preserving Photograph Collections

We Are History Keepers Workshop Guidebook

7. Collecting and Preserving Photograph Collections

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7. Collecting and Preserving Photograph Collections

Typical materials that cause deterioration in photographs:

  • Sulfur-based chemicals and materials including

    • Rubber cement

    • Rubber bands

    • Sulfite and kraft papers

    • Industrial pollutants

  • Chlorine-based chemicals and materials including

    • Polyvinyl chloride plastics

    • Cleaners and commercial cleaning solutions

    • Sweat and perspiration salts transferred through finger oils

  • Oxidizing gases and chemicals including

    • Ozone from xerox machines

    • Industrial pollutants

    • Ammonia (from household cleaners, etc.)

    • Cellulose nitrate photographs

    • Oil based paints

    • Floor varnishes

    • Wood and other materials with lignin

  • Organic acids and basic chemicals and materials including

    • Wood and other materials with lignin

    • Sulfite and kraft papers

    • Glassine

    • Cardboard and unprocessed paper products

    • Pressure—sensitive tapes

  • Iron based metal products including

    • Paper clips

Resources: Information on care of photograph and film Collections

  • Books

    • An Ounce of Preservation: A Guide to the Care of Papers and Photographs, Craig Tuttle, 1994

    • Storage Guide for Color Photographic Materials, James Reilly, 1998

    • Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to care for your family photographs, Maureen A. Taylor, 2010

    • Uncovering Your Ancestry through Family Photographs, Maureen A. Taylor, 2000

    • Disaster Recovery: Salvaging Photograph Collections, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (booklet) https://ccaha.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2018-07/technical-bulletin-salvaging-photographs.original.pdf

  • Websites

    • How to Preserve Family Papers & Photographs, National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives or https://www.archives.gov/preservation/formats#photos

    • Personal Archiving: Preserving Your Digital Memories, Library of Congress, http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/personalarchiving/photos.html

    • Preservation publications, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/preserv/

    • Preservation leaflets, Northeast Document Conservation Center, http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets.list.php

    • Washington State Film Preservation Manual: Low-Cost and No-Cost Suggestions To Care For Your Film (movies)

      http://content.lib.washington.edu/filmarchweb/index.html

  • Archival Storage Supplies

    • (paper, envelopes, negative sleeves, boxes, etc.)

    • Metal Edge‐Hollinger, 800‐862‐2228 or 800‐634‐0491, www.hollingermetaledge.com

    • Gaylord Brothers Archival Solutions, 800-962-9580, gaylordbros@email.gaylord.com and www.gaylord.com

    • University Products, 800-638-1912, https://www.universityproducts.com/

  • Custom Labwork

    • Moonphoto, digital and darkroom, 206‐783‐3377, www.moonphotolab.com

    • Panda Lab, digital and darkroom, 206‐285‐7091, www.pandalab.com

    • Art & Soul, high resolution scanning and color carbon printing, 206‐297‐1223, www.colorcarbonprint.com

  • Production Quality Scanning and/or Labwork

    • ScanCafe, online vendor of production digital services, 1‐866‐234‐3909, www.scancafe.com

    • iMemories, film and video tape to DVD, www.imemories.com

  • Professional Conservators

    • Lisa Duncan, Art Conservator LLC, Seattle, lisaduncan.artconservator@gmail.com, www.lisaduncanllc.com

    • Chicago Albumen Works, 174 Front St, Housatonic, MA, 01236, 413‐274‐690, www.albumenworks.com

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8. Papers and Photographs Tips for Long-Term Care
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