Collection Appraisal
GETTING STARTED PROJECT START TO FINISH October 22 thru December 17, 1997
In early 1997, early S.D. Warren mill photographs were found scattered throughout the library. Some were found in boxes tucked in the basement while other were in envelopes kept in drawers on the library’s main floor. All in all, over 200 photographs featuring images of the mill building and its employees dating between 1880 to 1950 were found. After a thorough search throughout the building, photographs were gathered up and kept in one location until they could be assessed.
On October 22, 1997, the collection consisted mostly images of interior and exterior of the mill, mill workers and mill events. Inclusive dates were 1888 to 1907. Once we determined that all photographs in the library were found, we assessed their value. Were the photographs unique? Did we have negatives? Did the photographs have historical value. By asking these questions, we were able to set priorities and budget.
“Were the photographs unique?”
Yes, they were unique to the overall collection and to the community whose history tied in with the S. D. Warren Paper Mill. The photographs also came directly from the S. D. Warren Paper Mill in the 1950s. After much research, Provenance was determined. The photographs were brought over by Howard Stevens, an employee of S. D Warren Paper Mill whose wife was a librarian at the Warren Memorial Library. Photographs were brought over between 1954 and 1963. Reason for taking photographs is unknown but speculation tells us that there may have been a concern that the mill would dispose of the photographs. This proved true when in 1972, S. D. Warren Paper Mill was purchased by Scott Paper and thousands of documents and photographs were destroyed.
“Do we have negatives?”
Yes, 25% of these photographs were found in the Rowe Slide Collection as glass negatives as well as lanternslides produced from the glass negatives. However, these glass negatives are not original, but in fact, created from the photograph. We could say that this was an early form of copy negs.
“Did the photographs have historical value?”
Yes, these photographs were important to Westbrook History and it’s manufacturing industry. It also had historical value because the Warren Memorial Library was once the Mill Library making itf a part of S. D. Warren Paper Mill history. It also had value because it showed the paper making process at that time and the paper mill industry is a staple in Maine.
“Who will use the photographs?”
Students, local historians, researchers and faculty from the neighboring university will most likely be the primary users of this collecton. Most recently, interest in S. D. Warren Mill History has increased due to major cut backs in mills through the state,changes in mills management procedures, and reduction of paper production throughout the state.
“What type of formats, sizes, process and quantities were in the collection?”
Mr. Abraham Schechter, a photo archivist and librarians from Portland, Maine was invited to the library to help determine and identify type of photo processes. This, in turn, helped us determine what preservation needs were required. Early photographs (1880-1907) were albumen prints mounted on board while later images (1920+) were silver gelatin prints and modern photo process. We also found one cabinet card and one collodion print. This information helped us determine what types and amounts of rehousing materials would be needed.
By appraising the collection, we were able to accomplish the following:
On October 22, 1997, the collection consisted mostly images of interior and exterior of the mill, mill workers and mill events. Inclusive dates were 1888 to 1907. Once we determined that all photographs in the library were found, we assessed their value. Were the photographs unique? Did we have negatives? Did the photographs have historical value. By asking these questions, we were able to set priorities and budget.
“Were the photographs unique?”
Yes, they were unique to the overall collection and to the community whose history tied in with the S. D. Warren Paper Mill. The photographs also came directly from the S. D. Warren Paper Mill in the 1950s. After much research, Provenance was determined. The photographs were brought over by Howard Stevens, an employee of S. D Warren Paper Mill whose wife was a librarian at the Warren Memorial Library. Photographs were brought over between 1954 and 1963. Reason for taking photographs is unknown but speculation tells us that there may have been a concern that the mill would dispose of the photographs. This proved true when in 1972, S. D. Warren Paper Mill was purchased by Scott Paper and thousands of documents and photographs were destroyed.
“Do we have negatives?”
Yes, 25% of these photographs were found in the Rowe Slide Collection as glass negatives as well as lanternslides produced from the glass negatives. However, these glass negatives are not original, but in fact, created from the photograph. We could say that this was an early form of copy negs.
“Did the photographs have historical value?”
Yes, these photographs were important to Westbrook History and it’s manufacturing industry. It also had historical value because the Warren Memorial Library was once the Mill Library making itf a part of S. D. Warren Paper Mill history. It also had value because it showed the paper making process at that time and the paper mill industry is a staple in Maine.
“Who will use the photographs?”
Students, local historians, researchers and faculty from the neighboring university will most likely be the primary users of this collecton. Most recently, interest in S. D. Warren Mill History has increased due to major cut backs in mills through the state,changes in mills management procedures, and reduction of paper production throughout the state.
“What type of formats, sizes, process and quantities were in the collection?”
Mr. Abraham Schechter, a photo archivist and librarians from Portland, Maine was invited to the library to help determine and identify type of photo processes. This, in turn, helped us determine what preservation needs were required. Early photographs (1880-1907) were albumen prints mounted on board while later images (1920+) were silver gelatin prints and modern photo process. We also found one cabinet card and one collodion print. This information helped us determine what types and amounts of rehousing materials would be needed.
By appraising the collection, we were able to accomplish the following:
- Identify the images.
- Find those that have glass negatives.
- Determine their enduring and historical value to the library and community.
- Determine the cost for rehousing.
- Determine the overall cost of copy negatives
- Which photographs needed immediate preservation due to fragility.
- Determine the selection criteria and guidelines for scanning.