P3D Archival Storage

[Brad Richmond <galoot@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings 3Dlings,

Ron Fredrickson wrote:
>>>>>>>>
As Historian for the PSA SD, I find that the problem is not storage but the
fact that too many beautiful slides are lost because heirs with no interest
give them to the garbage man. Several deceased persons (and at least one
live one) have now left or given their slides to me so that they can be
preserved. That's when the archival storage really comes into play; storage
methods are immaterial if the slides can't be located.  
<<<<<<<<

I agree with Ron, in part. Many photographs are lost because once the
photographer expires and his/her work is tossed out. I have a neighbor who
threw away hundreds of his fathers photographs of Kansas City windows that
were shot in the 50's and 60's. If I had known, I would have gladly asked
to keep that local history that is now lost. The sons only kept those
photos that included family history, overlooking those that had no
emotional connection. It's a shame.

I also think that a poorly managed collection of photos will appear to have
less value to heirs. If they are tossed in a shoe box, then one might
assume that they have little value and out they go with the rest of the
junk. If the photographs are catalogued and neatly filed (preferably in
archival containers), then hopefully one who finds them will assume they
have some value, thinking twice before discarding them.

It is also important to label all photographs. A photo without a written
historical reference can become useless. Where was the photo taken? When?
Who is that standing there? If your heirs know that it is little Jimmy,
during the Kansas City floods of 1993 they might realize that this is a
priceless family heirloom. Others can value it as a snapshot it time.
Looking at a photograph without the relevance of place and time might be
mildly interesting to view, but when additional information is provided the
photo is placed in context and attains historical relevance.

It would be wise to make sure your survivors appreciate the value of your
photographs. One could put in writing that any photos that family members
did not wish to keep should be donated to an organization such as PSA 3D to
help preserve our three-dimensional history. 

Brad D. Richmond




 
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         Brad D. Richmond         
       Overland Park, Kansas      
     mailto:galoot@xxxxxxxxx      
  http://www.kcnet.com/~galoot 
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