Re: Mounting for Daguerreotype
SCHRAMMR@WLSVAX.WVNET.EDU
Mon, 06 May 1996 11:30:06 -0400 (EDT)
I'm not sure what you mean by "unmounted Daguerreotype"
If it is truely a Daguerreotype, I would be amazed that it survived
without being protected in some way. The surface is so delecate that
you cannot touch it with anything. Daguerreotypes are sealed between two
pieces of glass ith a matt (usually metal) that keeps the front glass
from touching the image. Those who collect and make Daguerreotypes use
an archival tape to seal them (available from Light Impressions). The
sealed package is then placed in some kind of case. Perhaps yours is
just been taken out of its case. In any case, make no attempt to
clean your Daguerreotype. You may clean the cover glass and reseal
the package, but be very careful. Maybe you don't have a Daguerreotype.
Does the background of the image look like a mirror? Is the image
itself silvery-white? Some folks mistake Ambrotypes for Daguerreotypes.
Tell us more.
Bob Schramm