Photographic material

Photographic material: discuss with processing committee/supervisor.

  • Mixed in files:  Re-house to Mylar sleeves.  Try to separate photographic material to a separate folder.  Use the same folder title followed by “(photographic material)”.  If it is only one photograph in a folder of papers, just add “(includes photograph)” to the folder title.
  • In albums:  Consult with supervisor.
  • Loose:  Re-house to Mylar sleeves.
  • Photos on board: house in buffered paper folders or with buffered interleaving sheets.

Primary photographic materials

  • Negatives
  • Photographic prints

Secondary photographic materials

  • Line negatives
  • Photostats

General considerations:

  • if only one copy, treat at highest level
  • anticipate level of use
  • house in box as close to the size of the print as possible

Sizes

  •  8x10 and under – folder together, can store mixed sizes in manuscript box, sleeve and folder when possible
  •  Oversized: larger than 8x10 – folder with interleaving sheets, house in flat files or flat boxes (includes photos on board)  

Housing materials:

Special cases

Polaroids:

  • Above all else – Separate from other photos by placing in separate folder
  • Can be housed in same box if isolated in own folder
  • Do not sleeve

Rolled Photographs:

  • Do not attempt to unroll
  • Photo must be humidified before unrolled to prevent cracking