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Re: Framed photographs



This really and interesting topic with much more depth then appears on the surface.  It dovetails nicely with our recent  round of discussions on artifactual value vs content, primary vs secondary sources.  In another life I worked with many Museum Curators, those in charge of historic buildings and large artifact collections.  Archival and manuscript items being just another historic artifact to be dealt with.  Some of the Curators I had the up most respect for insisted that original photographs be kept in the frames or albums for the artifactual value.  They even went so far as to insist that archival and manuscript materials could be rehoused in proper enclosures but needed to remain in the dresser drawer or linen closet or where ever the item was found to maintain the provenance of the items within the historic content of the setting.  In many historic settings you see archival and manuscript items and well as photographs treated as objects.  Are the items you see the real ones or are they facsimiles made to the finest specifications while the "real" items are housed in the ideal conditions of the vault or storage area.

What responsibilities do we as the caretaker have to exhibit the exact item touched by time as opposed to a facsimile that only an expert could determine was not original?  Is the historic item's long-term preservation more important when weighed against the public's right or expectation to view the original in its original setting?  Would it be any less solemn an occasion to view one of the original copies of the Declaration Independence as opposed to a pristine facsimile knowing the original was reserved for preservation? (Yes, I believe it would.)

I have no pat answer and believe the decision lies with the judgement of the professional weighing the scope of the institution's charter or mandate against the needs of the document or photograph.  Archivists and Museum Curators will have honest disagreements on this issue but the basic question remains what is the proper thing to do?

Steve Ourada
(As always the view of the author is just that, my view, and does not represent the view of my employer.)

>>> Rob Dishon <rdishon@LAGCC.CUNY.EDU> 05/17/01 11:53AM >>>
Hello listers-

Wanted to get some feedback on a topic that i am sure we have all struggled with.

We will be accessioning a large number of framed photographs in the very near future.  I would like to and probably will remove those photos from the frames, sleeve and box the photos.

For arguements sake lets say that the frames are of the Kmart 1.99 variety and are matless.  Is there any real argument for keeping these photos framed?

I am of the thought that removing them will be better presevationwise as well as storagewise and am pretty set on my course.  Would just like to have any additional thougths on the matter.

Thanks
Rob Dishon
Archivist
LaGuardia & Wagner Archives

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