Re: Glassine Envelopes

Making a blanket statement like this is very inappropriate for this
topic. Materials vary widely and there are many causes for image
degradation. Proper handling of the materials have to be considered
for each particular type of materials. Ad hoc experience does not tell
much unless you analyze each case to dissociate the factors involved
in the image deterioration.

Color materials require different handling based on the dye technology
of the time (the stability of the color dyes improved very much in
1980s). B&W materials have rather different requirements for
processing and storage conditions.

Cellulose acetate film bases also vary depending on the technology
with which they were made. This type of film base improved very much
in its early years. Early acetate films were not even triacetate and
they are inferior to today's completely triacetated cellulose
material.

Without identifying which material stored at what condition, your
experience tells little information. For example, when you mentioned
the smell when opening a box of film in plastic negative files, you
did not identify whether the smell was due to the decomposition of the
film base (which occurs when stored in airtight condition--cellulose
acetate films need to be stored in clean but circulating air) or the
plastic. The old plastic of unidentified material might have become
brittle, but it's also likely that the vinegar smell came from the
film base instead of, or in addition to the plastic.

From: Bob Maxey <written_by@msn.com>
Subject: Re: Glassine Envelopes
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 11:36:56 -0700

> >>>One learns something every day! After having moved all my negatives to
> glassine, could somebody please tell me what's really archival?>>>
>
> Here is my opinion based upon years of working with all sorts of photographic materials and their storage.
>
> I think the key to longevity is proper processing. It all starts there.
>
> Then perhaps the storage materials come next. I know that some commonly used items can cause damage. Like sulfur from the rubber bands some people use to hold groups of slides together. I have some slides in groups that were "bound" way back in 1950 and the images were not damaged, despite the rubber bands falling apart.
>
> Some chemicals can affect photographs, so keeping them away from sources of potential problems is always a good idea. I collect Kodak adverting materials and I have a large collection of Coloramas. Occasionally, I will find one that is starting to deteriorate for no apparent reason. I can identify the material used and there is no reason for the problems because I can also tell when the image was made by Kodak. It would be like slide 21 deteriorating, yet slide 20 and 22 showing no problems.
>
> So I think in many (most?) cases, processing is the problem. Rather, improper processing.
>
> Then comes storage. Archivists want strict temperature and humidify controls. In my experiences with a large collection, the images were stored improperly. In basements and 2nd/3rd floors of a building without any controls or thought. Wide seasonal changes in temperature and humidity as well as exposure to steam heating system that put plenty of humidity into the storage area, over many decades of storage.
>
> I could never find proof that damage was occurring.
>
> I am not saying that improper storage does not affect images. I am saying that it might not in some/many cases.
>
> Like I posted earlier, the archival people cannot be always trusted. I was "scared" into dumping glassine and going with this seller's archival sleeves, and all of those sleeves I bought have now turned yellow, given up a sticky film, or became brittle. I could smell problems as soon as I opened up the boxes my images were stored in
>
> These sleeves were sold as archivally safe by a well known company that is supposed to know. I am certainly glad that I did not move my stamp collection from glassine envelopes to this companies recommended materials. I might truly be upset. As it is, some very rare specimens are still perfect.
>
> Wilhem(sp?) offers some advice and recommendations, but some people take what he says/they say too seriously and often make conclusions they should not make. For example, Wilhem research will tell you that if properly stored, nitrate film will last because it is archival. I have read that nitrate film will eventually deteriorate because it is not archival. I have yet to see any problems. Then again, I can only go by what I personally experience.
>
> So my advice is to process properly and store with a little thought.
>
> Bob
> ..
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Received on Mon Feb 13 13:48:19 2006