A Guide to Fiber-Base Gelatin Silver Print Condition and Deterioration (2008)

Title: A Guide to Fiber-Base Gelatin Silver Print Condition and Deterioration
Author: Gawain Weaver
Year: 2008
Pages: 41
Link: http://www.arp-geh.org/... (pdf, 2.67 Mb)


Table of Contents:

Introduction
Sidebar 1 What Color is Silver?
Sidebar 2 What Makes a Print Yellow?

The Nature of the Fiber-Base Gelatin Silver Print
History of Gelatin Silver Print Manufacture
History of Processing and Image Stability

Gelatin Silver Print Deterioration
Examination of a Print to Judge Condition and Deterioration
Sidebar 3 Primary Factors in Image Stability
The Basics of Deterioration
Sidebar 4 Heat, Humidity, Paint Fumes, and the Benefits of Toning
Sidebar 5 Water and Fire Disasters
Deterioration Charts

Age, Deterioration, or Patina?
Sidebar 6 The Value of Deterioration

When is Conservation Treatment Necessary?

Recommendations for the Storage of Gelatin Silver Prints

Looking Forward

Pathways: Deterioration in Detail
P1: Yellow/Orange Discoloration, Edges or Overall
P2: Silver-mirroring, Edges
P3: Silver-mirroring, Overall or Localized
P4: Yellow/Brown Discoloration and Fading, Edges
P5: Yellow/Brown Discoloration, Overall
P6: Yellow/Brown Discoloration and Fading, Localized
P7: Yellowing of Non-image Areas and Highlights
P8: Image Deterioration in Localized and Uneven Patterns
P9: Gelatin Binder Lifting, Edges or Localized
P10: Staining and Tide Lines
P11: Ferrotyping and Other Surface Changes
P12: Mold Growth
P13: Planar Deformation or Cockling
P14: Embrittlement of the Paper Support
P15: Tears, Creases, Abrasion, etc: Edges
P16: Tears, Creases, Abrasion, etc: Localized

Further Reading