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B+W

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic

Works (conservation-us.org) Conservation professionals

dedicated to preserving the art and historic artefacts of cultural

heritage for future generations. Website features notes and advice

on finding a conservator and caring for your treasures.

The Daguerreian Society (daguerre.org) Knowledgeable team

dedicated to the history, science and art of the daguerreotype.

Great sections on identification and caring for your artworks.

Image Permanence Institute

(imagepermanenceinstitute.org) Non-profit, university-based

laboratory devoted to preservation research. IPI developed the

Photographic Activity Test (PAT).

The Institute of Conservation (icon.org.uk) Non-profit

organisation raising awareness of the cultural, social and economic

value of caring for UK heritage. Website features notes and advice

on finding a conservator and caring for your collection.

Conservation Services Ltd (paperconservation.co.uk)

Specialist art restorers, concentrating on the conservation and

restoration of graphic works on paper and historic photographs.

Northeast Document Conservation Center (nedcc.org)

Specialists in the conservation and preservation of paper-based

collections. Website features excellent advice on caring for private,

public and family collections.

Sotheby’s (sothebys.com) Photographic sales held in London

(May), New York (April and October) and Paris (November). Special

sales are held at other times of the year as appropriate.

Silverprint (silverprint.co.uk) The suppliers of all things

photographic, including storage materials. The staff are helpful and

knowledgeable. Visit their shop at 120 London Road, London SE1

6LF or buy online.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Silverprint archival box for storing prints – vital for their safe preservation. Print in box by Sharon Easterling of Downtown Darkroom.

© Silverprint

as it’s not considered chemically stable.

Regardless of whether you use paper or

plastic storage, make sure that each picture

has its own separate enclosure. Once all the

pieces are safely ensconced, store them in

acid-free boxes or folders. If your collection

comprises mainly prints, consider storing

them horizontally to minimise the risk

of bending. Obviously, images with glass

fronts (such as daguerreotypes) should be

stored vertically to reduce pressure on the

glass. Inspect your collection regularly

for damage; if you notice one piece is

beginning to deteriorate, isolate it from

the others immediately.

If a photograph becomes seriously

damaged, enlist the help of a conservationist.

These individuals offer guidance on storage,

display, restoration and even cleaning. In

short, if you’re not qualified, don’t attempt

to repair a picture yourself. If, after seeking

expert advice, the item is found to be

irreparable, don’t be too disheartened; some

chemicals are inherently unstable, and

there’s nothing you can do to force an image

to outlive its natural shelf life.

‘Insects such as silverfi sh and

cockroaches enjoy the taste of

gelatin and albumen, so don’t

make an easy meal for them.’

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