New book on photo deterioration

Mechanisms of image deterioration in early photographs: The sensitivity
to light of WHF Talbot's halide-fixed images 1834-1844, by Mike Ware.
Published by the Science Museum, London, and the National Museum of
Photography, Film & Television, Bradford: December 1994. Paperback, 92
pages, 240 x 186 mm, ISBN 0 901805 78 5, price 14.95 UKP

This analysis of the conditions required for the conservation of early
photographs achieves three important aims: it serves to provide curators
with a numerical assessment of the vulnerability of such photographs; it
details the science of photosensitivity in this material; and it
introduces quantitative concepts of 'damage'. The theoretical
considerations and the practical recommendations offered will serve to
inform difficult ethical decision-making by curators faced with the
conflicting obligations of access and conservation. The study, based on
a report commissioned by the National Museum of Photography, Film &
Television, at Bradford, England, takes a multidisciplinary approach:
evidence for the conclusions comes from a detailed examination of
Talbot's procedures, studies of case histories and experimentation upon
modern replica material. The scientific calculations underpinning the
study are given in a series of appendices. This account reconciles
nineteenth-century chemistry with modern scientific method. The results
have important implications for the storage and display of all such
images, and will be of interest to photo historians, conservators,
collectors and curators alike.

Orders may be placed at:

    Dillons The Bookstore
    Science Museum
    Exhibition Road
    South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, UK
    +44 71 938 8255
    Fax: +44 71 938 8118

Alternatively, you can email your request to Ms Giskin Day at the
Science Museum Publication Unit:

    g.day [at] imperial__ac__uk

who will advise you on overseas shipment etc.

Trusting that the relevance of this information will atone for its
apparent commerciality, Good Wishes

Mike

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:45
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 11, 1994
                        Message Id: cdl-8-45-005
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