Silver Gelatin Panoramic Photograph. Duke of Gloucester at Newtown Park - 18th December 1934.26/7/2019 This work was presented in its original frame with the framing label on the backing paper. Most of my conservation work is to remove what has been added to an work in the form of backings, window matts, frames and at times framing glass that has adhered to the emulsion of photographs. The framing in this case, although original is far from ideal but a product of its time, where the glass is pressed against the emulsion and is at risk of adhesion and damage. Also the nails used to secure the backing board have rusted and stained the primary paper support of the work.  On opening, it appears there has been some water damage and staining at the left had side of the print, causing losses of paper support and emulsion, along with surface soiling and dust from age and display in an unsealed frame. The work has a straw board backing typical to this era of framing and once that is mechanically removed the work can be aquesously treated in reduce the water staining. The work has a straw board backing typical to this era of framing and once that is mechanically removed the work can be aquesously treated in reduce the water staining. After surface cleaning the work was humidified in preparation for aqueous treatment in the form of blotter washing. Washing proved successful in reducing,flushing out the staining and after six blotter and water changes the work was left to air dry. The losses of paper support and emulsion on the left side of the work were repairs and then the work was pressed flat for a number of weeks.
We returned it to the original frame which was in keeping with the work but brought it up to archival standard. Firstly cleaned and repaired, then archival backing board and a spacer to prevent the emulsion touching the glass.
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The photograph was presented in two parts as the photograph had separated from it's presentation support board many years ago. The paper support is of a heavy weight wove paper and has a strong curl memory, as the photograph had been tightly rolled and then unrolled which has resulted in fractures, cracks and emulsion fissures. Once the work had been humidified for a period of time it was placed in a pressing stack, this would then enable further conservation. The tears and creases were repaired with Japanese tissue using a dry wheat starch paste. The tear was coaxed back together under magnification, re-aligning the paper fibers and emulsion layer. The photograph was then placed back into the pressing stack while the backing board was repaired. The backing board was surface cleaned back and front, taking care around the ruptures and tears. The board is of poor quality materials and in an acidic and friable condition. Tears were repaired with Japanese tissue and dry wheat starch paste before the whole was lined with a heavy weight Japanese tissue to impart strength for the infill repairs. This also provided continuity of surface on the verso.These infill repairs were constructed from a base of acid free board and then up to four layers of heavy weight Japanese tissue on the recto, all were water-cut to templates, and using wheat starch paste as the adhesive. These were weighted with Remay and blotter for drying in the usual way. The two final layers of tissue were toned with watercolour to impart visual integrity, so that the viewers eye is not drawn to a white repair. Once the infills were complete they were trimmed to match the edge of the board and then the photograph was pasted in place with wheat starch paste. Reuniting photograph and board for the first time in at least 50 years.  |
AuthorPhillipa Durkin, paper conservator Archives
August 2019
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