Care & conservation of photographs - 1Earth Antiques and Appraisals Magazine

Care and conservation of old photos

Photography is capable of freezing a moment in time, and we have come to rely heavily on the medium as a permanent record. So it is especially ironic that the medium itself is not immune to the ravages of time. Black and white photographs, if produced with high-quality materials and properly conserved, are rated to last 200 years or more. But the medium is still young enough that these limits have not yet been tested.

Color photography provides a better cautionary tale for the collector. Few examples of early color photography are extant today because of the tendency for colors to fade over time. The collector should be especially wary of color photographs for this reason. Recent advances in color processing have brought us closer to archival quality color prints, but only time will tell if the technology can approach black and white photography's proven longevity.

You can help maximize a photograph's lifespan by taking simple steps to protect your investment:

Mount your photographs on archival materials (100% acid-free, rag non-buffered board, by reputable manufacturers)
Never display your photography in direct sunlight or under fluorescent lighting
Protect the photographs from insects and other pests with glass or plexiglass
Use only glass or plexiglass with a UV-protective coating
Store your photographs in archival-quality folders or boxes
Never tape anything to the photographic image

Photo Appraisals
If it is not easy or possible for you to attend one of our appraisal events, you may send in photographs of your items for a photo evaluation.