Submitted by: Darrell Why is this item important to you?: They were my dad's. Sentimental value, I guess Expert Advice (provided by Todd Pattison): Both books would have been produced in 1876 by James R. Osgood & Co., a short-lived firm that bridged two important 19th century publishers, Ticknor and Fields and Houghton Mifflin. Both of the bindings have similar Eastlake style ornamentation on the covers, which is appropriate for the year the books were printed. From the photographs the books are in relatively stable condition, although both have wear at the spine ends and boards edges and the bottom of the spine on Conduct of Life is torn. The pages seem to be in good condition, likely having been printed on a good-quality paper, as they are not yellowed or brittle. Recommendations: You mention that the books sit on a shelf. This is an acceptable way to store books, making sure that they are out of direct sunlight and are supported on the sides so they do not fall over or slump to the side. Both would benefit from a custom-fitted box; ideally, this would be a drop-spine or clam-shell box. Storage and Handling: Be sure that these books have a good environment with stable temperature and humidity. Paper-based objects with deteriorate more quickly in higher temperatures and humidity. The books can be handled and read, just be sure to wash your hands with soap and water but you do not need to wear gloves. Gloves will lower the feeling in your fingers so you would be more likely to damage the pages. You would also want to cradle the books so as not to open them flat, which may damage the binding or sewing. If you do not have book cradles you can use some clean, soft towels rolled up and placed on either side of the books when you open them, opening the volumes to no more than a 130-degree angle.
Submitted by : Muffie Why is this item important to you?: They are all of my relatives Expert Advice (provided by Todd Pattison): The photograph of Margaret Harlam Doll is an ambrotype, a photograph on a glass plate while the other photo is the earliest type of commercially available photograph, a daguerreotype and is on a silvered copper plate (there may have been some additional photos but one file would not open for me). Both are cased images with the enclosures made of wood, leather and velvet. Metal has a tendency to corrode, which can occur when metal comes into contact with water and oxygen (water can be present in the air as excess humidity). There is some tarnish on the silver which suggests that the case seals constructed to prevent oxygen from getting at the plate may be compromised. The ambrotype appears to have a few issues with the glass; glass is an amorphous solid, so it is somewhat between a liquid and a solid. While most glass is very stable it can also break down over a long time period. The spotting appears to be on the glass and not the photograph itself. Recommendations: Both photographs appear to be in reasonably good condition. You should get high-quality images of both. The glass on the daguerreotype can be replaced with borosilicate glass, which is much more stable than regular glass. A photograph conservator, preferably one who is a member of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and has experience treating daguerreotypes, could replace the glass and examine the photograph for possible treatment. There is a Find a Conservator page on the AIC website that allows you to search for a conservator by specialty and location. If the daguerreotype is removed from the case to check seals and replace the glass it should be professionally imaged at that time as you would get the best image capture. The photograph would also need to be resealed in the case afterwards for protection. Unfortunately, the ambrotype is done directly on the glass in the other photograph so there really isn’t anything that can be done about the spotting. Storage and Handling: You mention that these photographs are currently housed in a tub with other genealogical materials; if this is a plastic tub this can lead to a micro-environment that is higher in humidity and should be avoided. A stable environment is important, especially making sure the humidity does not get too high. You could consider getting a custom-fitted box for each item, or if you have others, getting a box specifically for daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, which are available from some commercial archival suppliers. You should avoid handling these objects, although they can be handled safely, just be sure to wash your hands first with soap and water first and be careful with the leather or cloth hinges that hold the two parts of the case together. These are usually fragile and easily damaged.
Submitted by: Linda Why is this item important to you?: It may be my g. g. grandmother (she died in 1845) or the second wife of my g. g. grandfather and I have his photo too which has similar issues. What I would like to know is if I got it restored could the spots be removed or is their any thing that can improve the quality? Also date as I would like to know which wife. Expert Advice (provided by Todd Pattison): This is the earliest type of commercially available photograph and with the original case is a combination of several materials, including metal, and not shown but usually part of case bindings, wood, leather and velvet. The photograph itself is on a copper plate with a layer of silver giving the mirrored look. Metal has a tendency to corrode, which can occur when metal comes into contact with water and oxygen (water can be present in the air as excess humidity). There is some tarnish on the silver but the case included seals when constructed to prevent oxygen from getting at the plate so this is not much of an issue. It also seems to have at least one rust spot which would be a humidity issue, the corrosion on the brass mat would seem to confirm this. Glass is an amorphous solid, so it is somewhat between a liquid and a solid. While most glass is very stable it can also break down over a long time period. Much of the spotting that you see here appears to be on the glass and not the photograph itself. Recommendations: The glass on the object can be replaced, an option being borosilicate glass, which is much more stable than regular glass. A photograph conservator, preferably one who is a member of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and has experience treating daguerreotypes, could replace the glass and examine the photograph for possible treatment. There is a Find a Conservator page on the AIC website that allows you to search for a conservator by specialty and location. If the daguerreotype is removed from the case to check seals and replace the glass it should be professionally imaged at that time as you would get the best image capture. The photograph would also need to be resealed in the case afterwards for protection. Storage and Handling: You mention that the daguerreotype is currently house in a plastic bin; this can lead to a micro-environment that is higher in humidity and should be avoided. A stable environment is important, especially making sure the humidity does not get too high. You could consider getting a custom-fitted box for the item, or if you have others, getting a box specifically for daguerreotypes, which are available from some commercial archival suppliers. You should avoid handling the object as much as possible and take precautions when you do, like washing your hands first with soap and water.
