[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: 11x14 glass plate negative enclosures



Title: Message
Janette,
Let me make a suggestion. Go to our website and look under "BOXES" and then look at the 11x14" Print and Negative boxes (14-108). This is not a sales pitch :), you might call some local custom film processing labs and ask if they have empty 11x14" enlarging paper boxes they might give you.  Our boxes are somewhat like those but much heavier. Anyway, you can use a box like this which is exactly the right size for your glass plates and put perhaps three negatives to a box and interleave them with 20pt. archival box board, or locally purchased archival mat board which you may have on hand or can get at any art supply store.
 
I have a sample of our box in my desk left over from a show and I would be happy to send it to you with my compliments to let you try it out. Since you can't afford cabinets, these very heavy boxes might work since they can safely be stood on edge.
 
Steve
archivalmethods.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Janette Gomes [mailto:jgomes@bcc.ctc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 10:21 AM
To: 'shess@archivalmethods.com'
Subject: RE: 11x14 glass plate negative enclosures

Steve,
 
Thank you for the very helpful answer. My problem right now is budget, of course! I am going to have to go with the cheapest alternative I can for awhile so I am gathering suggestions and seeing what I can put together. I don't want to put you to the trouble of figuring out a quote that we probably cannot afford, but if you have a ball park figure for enclusures, that would be helpful. I think a cabinet is probably out of the question, so I will have to figure out the most appropriately rigged boxes.
 
Janette Gomes
Assistant Regional Archivist
Puget Sound Regional Archives
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, MS-N100
Bellevue, WA  98007-6484
jgomes@bcc.ctc.edu
(425) 564-3946
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Hess [mailto:shess@archivalmethods.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 11:55 AM
To: 'Janette Gomes'; ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: RE: 11x14 glass plate negative enclosures

Dear Janette:
We would be happy to assist and advise. We are manufacturers of archival storage and presentation products (www.archivalmethods.com) and have a few suggestions. If you end up wanting us to quote enclosures for you we would waive any special order pricing as we would for any member of the list.
 
First, you need to decide if these glass plates are going to be pretty much in long term  storage or if they will be frequently accessed? One of the simplest ways is to house them in "drop mats" which would consist of the following "sandwich": 1. A bottom "plate" of heavy archival quality board or corrugated to a nominal outside dimension of 15 x 18" (2" larger all around than the negative), 2) a center "mat"  with a cutout of slightly larger than the negative and a cut-out or relief on one of the 11" sides to facilitate lifting and removing the negative to avoid "prying" (a more elegant but more costly solution would be a tape hinged end on one of the short sides) 3) a top plate the same as the bottom. The assembly can be tape hinged together along one of the long dimensions. Sling each negative in either archival paper or (best) polyester to protect the emulsion.
 
It would not be difficult to manufacture these drop mats at your facility and any local framer and cut the inside mat which must be slightly thicker than the negative.
 
We have an expert on photo storage on staff, Dennis Inch (co-author: "The Life of a Photograph" ). Feel free to contact him. His number and email are at archivalmethods.com
 
With reference to storage, these negatives are easily breakable, of course, and pressure or weight are killers. Safest would be vertical storage in appropriate SLOTTED cabinets so that the plates cannot lean against each other. It goes without saying that such cabinets must have an appropriate (safe) finish. Nothing is simple :)
 
As a further source, the world authorities at the George Eastman House a few miles down the road from us here in Rochester are usually happy to chat. Dennis can get you some contacts there as well.
 
Steve Hess
archivalmethods.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU] On Behalf Of Janette Gomes
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 11:43 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: 11x14 glass plate negative enclosures

Dear Listmembers,
 
We recently accessioned about 80 of these negatives and are having trouble locating pre-made four-flap enclosures for this large size. Hollinger and Metal Edge are willing to make them, but I am hoping that we can obtain them elsewhere to avoid special order pricing. 
 
I have also seen two schools of thought on whether this large size should be stored vertically as are the smaller sizes or horizontally (of course, with very few per box).
 
Any leads and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
 
Janette Gomes
Assistant Regional Archivist
Puget Sound Regional Archives
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, MS-N100
Bellevue, WA  98007-6484
jgomes@bcc.ctc.edu
(425) 564-3946