Condition of Collection
The condition of the photographs varied from very poor to good. All the photographs have some form of deterioration. These are:
Of the 200 images, over half of the early images of mill history were albumen and/or gelatin silver prints. The albumen prints were clearly the most fragile. Although it was not feasible to reformat all 200 photographs, discussion was open for the possibility of making copynegs of the early photographs (albumen print only). (Copy negatives or reproduction duplicates is the process of projecting onto duplicating film from prints and non-translucent media. These copynegs could then be used to produce photographic prints.) However, we found the cost of reformatting 65 photographs to 4 x 5 copy negs cost the library $1,335.00. The library budget was fixed and we were not able to go forward with the project. The copyneg project would be placed on hold until the Foundation who funded the library would release the necessary funds to complete this project. In the meantime, the assessed collection was being rearranged and organized and rehoused.
- Visible signs of silver nitrate
- Fading of albumen prints
- Darkening of albumen prints
- Scratches
- Tears
- Brittle boards
Of the 200 images, over half of the early images of mill history were albumen and/or gelatin silver prints. The albumen prints were clearly the most fragile. Although it was not feasible to reformat all 200 photographs, discussion was open for the possibility of making copynegs of the early photographs (albumen print only). (Copy negatives or reproduction duplicates is the process of projecting onto duplicating film from prints and non-translucent media. These copynegs could then be used to produce photographic prints.) However, we found the cost of reformatting 65 photographs to 4 x 5 copy negs cost the library $1,335.00. The library budget was fixed and we were not able to go forward with the project. The copyneg project would be placed on hold until the Foundation who funded the library would release the necessary funds to complete this project. In the meantime, the assessed collection was being rearranged and organized and rehoused.