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Negatives from the 40’s and 50’s
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Jan 22, 2024 22:36:41   #
Tote1940 Loc: Dallas
 
I use glassine envelopes, suggest airtight metal container with gasketed lid and packs of silica gel with color indicator.
Avoid plastics, most give off fumes of plasticers, some even break apart

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Jan 22, 2024 22:39:15   #
Tote1940 Loc: Dallas
 
Main threat is humidity and fungus also plasticizers.
Heat a major threat.
In recent negatives fixer residues but in your case probably all were washed well or fixer neutralized or they would be discolored by now

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Jan 23, 2024 08:00:48   #
Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY
 
My son works for a leading supplier of preservation materials, https://www.gaylord.com/. They are themselves an old company with an impressive portfolio of customers including The Library of Congress and other serious institutions. Look around their website and you will find a booklet on photographic preservation. This is actually a high technology proposition with ISO standards and the like. I believe some of the speculation here might be dead wrong. I can’t speak to their prices because employees get the same prices as their largest customers even for small quantities.

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Jan 23, 2024 09:09:12   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
This might be a place to start your search for knowledge.
https://www.archivalmethods.com/blog/archivally-storing-negatives/

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Jan 23, 2024 09:15:19   #
BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh
 
Tinkb wrote:
I am working with a historical society to convert some 3000 speed graphic negatives into ditigal format for records and preservation. The negatives were “stored” in metal boxes, in paper envelopes,in an unheated second floor of a local library. Using care in handling most of negatives are producing very good images so here is my question, cost is a factor as this is a non profit, but what would be the best way to preserve these negatives going forward ? Paper sleeves, in plastic bags, just paper, vacuum sealed plastic, paper envelopes in a tupper ware type container ? The newest set is 56 years with the oldest appx 75 years old.
I am working with a historical society to convert ... (show quote)


I would suggest contacting the Smithsonian Film Preservation Folks; contact information is available at the following link. I'm confident that they can point you in the right direction.

https://siarchives.si.edu/what-we-do/preservation/introduction

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Jan 23, 2024 09:45:57   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Tinkb wrote:
I am working with a historical society to convert some 3000 speed graphic negatives into ditigal format for records and preservation. The negatives were “stored” in metal boxes, in paper envelopes,in an unheated second floor of a local library. Using care in handling most of negatives are producing very good images so here is my question, cost is a factor as this is a non profit, but what would be the best way to preserve these negatives going forward ? Paper sleeves, in plastic bags, just paper, vacuum sealed plastic, paper envelopes in a tupper ware type container ? The newest set is 56 years with the oldest appx 75 years old.
I am working with a historical society to convert ... (show quote)


Back in the day we had special sleeves we put our 4X5 negatives into. Here is the modern version

https://www.amazon.com/eTone-Archival-Storage-Negative-Preservers/dp/B08T6CV6SS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3UJ0QNTUZ09L7&keywords=4x5%2Bnegative%2Bsleeves&qid=1706021087&sprefix=4X5%2Bnegiv%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-3&th=1

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Jan 23, 2024 10:01:06   #
GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl
 
In addition to all of the suggestions being offered, keep them in the dark. Light over time will affect the quality

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Jan 23, 2024 10:14:27   #
photoman43
 
Tinkb wrote:
I am working with a historical society to convert some 3000 speed graphic negatives into ditigal format for records and preservation. The negatives were “stored” in metal boxes, in paper envelopes,in an unheated second floor of a local library. Using care in handling most of negatives are producing very good images so here is my question, cost is a factor as this is a non profit, but what would be the best way to preserve these negatives going forward ? Paper sleeves, in plastic bags, just paper, vacuum sealed plastic, paper envelopes in a tupper ware type container ? The newest set is 56 years with the oldest appx 75 years old.
I am working with a historical society to convert ... (show quote)


I do not have an answer for you. However, I suggest you contact the Photo department at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, TX. They have extensive photo collections that may contain negatives.

https://emuseum.mfah.org/groups/photography

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Jan 24, 2024 22:22:03   #
Chiroman8
 
Tinkb wrote:
I am working with a historical society to convert some 3000 speed graphic negatives into ditigal format for records and preservation. The negatives were “stored” in metal boxes, in paper envelopes,in an unheated second floor of a local library. Using care in handling most of negatives are producing very good images so here is my question, cost is a factor as this is a non profit, but what would be the best way to preserve these negatives going forward ? Paper sleeves, in plastic bags, just paper, vacuum sealed plastic, paper envelopes in a tupper ware type container ? The newest set is 56 years with the oldest appx 75 years old.
I am working with a historical society to convert ... (show quote)


Dear Tinkb.


Where can we see some of the work you did ? Thank you for helping to restore.

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