Library
The library includes image galleries, links to a few of my favorite photograph conservation/connoisseurship websites, bibliographies, and other useful resources.
Process ID and Nomenclature
See the Photographic Processes page for more information
Image Galleries
- Additive Screen Plates
- The Photographs I Find (a blog where Gawain posts images of found photographs and other discoveries)
Bibliographies
- Recommendations for a Photograph Conservation Library, by Gawain Weaver [PDF]
Other Resources
American Civil War Revenue Stamps on Photographs, by Marci Jefcoat
Working draft of research on American Civil War Revenue stamps within the brief yet pivotal period 1864-1866, with emphasis on dating and/or estimating initial retail price of cartes de visite based on revenue stamp characteristics. Includes a brief history of revenue stamps, an exploration of cancelation methods from stamps to handwritten markings from the photographer, complete with photographs and analysis of specific examples. Download Paper [PDF]
Kodachrome Dating, by Felice Graciela Robles
Working draft of research on Kodachrome slide mounts, with emphasis on slide mount design evolution and typography by decade complete with examples. Includes a brief history of Kodachrome technology and slide mount formats, a roster of domestic and international Kodak processing facilities, and more to assist in dating. Download Paper [PDF]
Chromogenic Characterization: A Study of Kodak Color Prints, 1942-2008
Recent research by Gawain Weaver and Zach Long on chromogenic prints ”Chromogenic Characterization: A Study of Kodak Color Prints, 1942-2008” is now available in full, including many color images, on the Notes on Photographs website developed at George Eastman House. (links currently broken due to change in website at Eastman House, use PDF downloads below instead)
The article was also published in Topics in Photographic Preservation 13. A pre-publication version of the Topics article is available for download as PDFs in two parts: Chromogenic Article, Ektacolor Paper Backprint Chronology.
A Guide to Fiber-Base Gelatin Silver Print Condition and Deterioration, by Gawain Weaver
A 41-page illustrated guide to how and why gelatin silver prints deteriorate, includes a 2-page chart and many diagrams in addition to photographs depicting each of the 15 forms of deterioration. Download Paper [PDF, updated April 2008]
A Guide to the Surface Characteristics: Kodak Fiber Base Black-And-White Papers, 2nd ed., by Kit Funderburk
A 60-page illustrated guide to how gelatin silver printing papers were made at Kodak, with emphasis on the variety of surface textures. Download Paper [PDF, updated 2009]
History of the Paper Mills at Kodak Park, by Kit Funderburk.
Download Paper [PDF, updated 2006]
Codes/Notches/Miscellaneous
Polaroid Identification Codes: Download PDF
Horvath, David G. (1987). The Acetate Negative Survey Final Report. Louisville, KY: Ekstrom Library Photographic Archives, University of Louisville. (link to the University of Louisville Ekstrom Library PDF is broken so it can be downloaded directly from here for the time being)
Comparison Chart of Historical Film & Plate Speed Systems
Links
Collections Preservation Grants
- Heritage Preservation's Conservation Assessment Program
- NEH's Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
- California Preservation Program's Preservation Needs Assessment
- National Endowment for the Arts ART WORKS GRANTS
Photograph Conservation and Preservation
- The Image Permanence Institute
- IPI's Graphics Atlas
- National Park Service Conserve-O-Grams
- PIR (The Photograph Information Record, a questionnaire used internationally to obtain essential information detailing the materials and techniques used in the creation of photographic works and their history)
Photograph Collecting and Connoisseurship
- The Photo Review
- iPhotoCentral (Alex Novak's free e-newsletter is an excellent way to keep up to date on the photographic art market)
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery
- Library of Congress: Emergency Preparedness Website
- CCAHA's Salvaging Photographs Technical Bulletin
- NEDCC's Emergency Salvage of Wet Photographs
Digitization Best Practices
- Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials, Federal Agencies Digitization Guideline Initiative (FADGI), Still Image Working Group, August 2010
- Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access: Creation of Production Master Files – Raster Images, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- BCR’s CDP Digital Imaging Best Practices Working Group, 2008
Listservs of Interest
Please read the introductory words about each group before joining, each one has a specific focus
-
Photoconservation listserv at Yahoo Groups : A mailing list dedicated to the history and conservation of photographic materials
-
PhotoHistory listserv at Yahoo Groups : PhotoHistory is a list for archivists, art historians and enthusiasts of early photography
- aic-photographic listserv : the official listserv of the Photographic Materials Group (PMG) of the American Institute for Conservation, this listserv is restricted to PMG members
Process: Cyanotype
Conservation of an 1878 Muybridge Panorama of San Francisco
This 18-foot-long, 360-degree panorama of San Francisco was captured by Eadweard Muybridge in 1878 from the top of Nob Hill. It is one of greatest examples of panoramic photography ever created. See more details of the panorama and its treatment after the jump. Click on the images for a higher resolution view. (more details)
Process ID Chart: 19th Century Photographic Prints
This process ID chart for 19th century photographic prints is available for free download as a PDF. The chart is used in our Care and ID of Photographs workshops which are taught both in-person and online, but anyone will find it to be a useful reference in navigating the complexities of photographic process. Additional charts on other types of photographic prints and materials will be announced via our Newsletter as they are completed and ready for download.