curating very old negatives

[MelanieC]

My husband and I were given some very old 35mm negatives (1920s, 1930s) and some glass plate negatives (same vintage, I think) to arrange and digitize. Some of the 35mm negatives are already cut up -- into separate frames, for some reason, not strips -- and stored in paper envelopes. But most of them are rolled up tightly in film canisters, and presumably have been that way for decades. The glass negatives are in paper envelopes.

Some preliminary research suggests that we will be able to unroll the rolled negatives by soaking them in water (distilled, I suppose) with a little bit of Photoflo. These are family artifacts but also have broader historical significance, and it is very important that they not be damaged. I am perfectly happy to hand them over to a professional archivist, but was wondering if it would be necessary.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[aizan]

i would talk to a conservator...too risky to DIY.

 

[monochromejrnl]

Melanie - i don't know the answer to your question, but here in Toronto, Ryerson University runs a unique Master of Arts program in Photographic Preservation - http://imagearts.ryerson.ca/photopreservation/Faculty.html

I'm not sure if there are similar programs closer to you down on the West Coast of the US but if not, try contacting a professor in this program for some advice. Some of the professors are based in Rochester, NY, Chicago, Ill. and other places in the US so perhaps one of them could refer you to an expert closer to you.

Good luck.

Ken

 

[Dwig]

Any attempts at restoration are risky; DIY restoration is very risky.

Before any restoration attempt is made you should make every effort possible to obtain the best scan possible of the film in its current condition.

Film bases can deteriorate and emulsions can loose their adhesion to the base. While attempting to flatten dry film can create cracks, rewashing film runs the risk of having the emulsion separate from the base.

 

[mackigator]

If you choose any DIY path, definitely test test test as you go so that you have the smallest possible risk at any one time - better lose an image than a roll, etc. I bet the negs are going to vary in brittleness.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC is excellent in answering questions like this.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have had to deal with the problem of early, tightly wound 35mm film when I was a museum curator. It would be best to have a person experienced in treating old film try to relax it. If the film does not say
"safety film" on the margins, it is probably cellulous nitrate stock, which was very common in the 20s and 30s. You will read that nitrate film is explosive, and it is not, but it is highly flammable and actually requires special packaging and labeling for shipping. You can get the regulations most easily from Fedex. Early safety film which has an acetic acid smell is in a stage of active decay and should be copied as soon as possible. It should also be kept away from other film, and not in sealed housings (archival paper envelopes are good). A photo conservator can handle all of these issues for you.