Caring For Panoramic Photographs In Small Collections

Kathleen A Kinakin

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14656908

Abstract

Silver gelatin panoramic photographs produced in the first half of the 20th century are commonly found in archives and collections. Many were rolled for ease of storage, and their present condition means the information in the images is inaccessible. Panoramic prints in collections, whether rolled or flat, present a challenge to archivists and collection managers in terms of their treatment, housing, digitization and storage. Working with rolled panoramic prints from a private collection as a case study, this thesis examines possible solutions to the issues of caring for panoramas in collections. Conservators and collection managers were also consulted to broaden the survey. A procedure for digitizing rolled panoramas is proposed as a solution for providing access to the image information if conservation treatment is not a viable option. Humidification and flattening treatments are discussed, and solutions are presented for the housing, storage and digitization of these oversized objects.

Highlights

Panoramic photographs were a popular format for landscape and group portraits in the first half of the 20th century and they are commonly found in photographic collections
Many panoramic photographs have been stored rolled and over time have become less flexible, making it unsafe to unroll them without risking damage to the emulsion
The intention is that this information will assist archivists and collection managers in institutions with varied resources find solutions to the issues encountered when accessing, housing and storing large panoramic photographs

Summary

Introduction

Panoramic photographs were a popular format for landscape and group portraits in the first half of the 20th century and they are commonly found in photographic collections Because of their size and unconventional dimensions, they present a challenge to archivists in terms of their handling, storage, documentation and access for research. One option for providing access to a rolled panorama that this thesis examines is a method of documenting the print without fully humidifying and flattening it While this procedure requires experience in handling photographic objects, it is not as complex as completing the full humidification and flattening treatment. It requires less resources and time, and may be a practical alternative for a small institution to make the image available for research. The intention is that this information will assist archivists and collection managers in institutions with varied resources find solutions to the issues encountered when accessing, housing and storing large panoramic photographs

Literature Survey

Methodology

The Procedure for Documenting a Rolled Panorama

Findings

A Brief Overview of the Cirkut Camera