Panoramic Photograph Summer 1921

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Adopt-A-Conservation Treatment

Conservation of panoramic photograph, The Johns Hopkins University, Summer School 1921, Archives # 6876. Conserved December 2007.

This panoramic photograph measures 10”high by 65” long. This item was recently re-discovered in Krieger Hall during a move. Due to its length, slightly over 5’, the item had been rolled for storage for some time. How long we do not know, but long enough and tightly enough that it rendered the photograph unopenable. Several tears are visible at the top of the roll from earlier attempts to unroll it under stress. There is surface dirt on the outside and inside dur to its not being given some protective enclosure. Conservation treatment included humidifying the object in order to flatten it, then dry cleaning the surface, mending the tears and fabricating a custom enclosure.
Before treatment:
Item is rolled tightly in several layers. Previous attempts to open item resulted in tearing.

During treatment:
Item is placed in a sandwich of Goretex protecting it from blotting paper and encased in plastic sheeting. Perimeter is sealed to allow humidity without condensation to form. Item relaxes under these conditions, allowing it to be opened gradually. It continues under humidity until completely relaxed and can be flattened.


Completed object and protective enclosure:
After flattening, the photo was dry cleaned, mended and a custom enclosure was fabricated. Because of the size, the enclosure support needed to be both rigid and light weight. An acid free and lignin-free corrugated board was custom cut for the enclosure housing. A 4- flap self-enclosing sleeve was made from mylar to secure the photo within the board and ensure it would not slide out during storage or handling. It also allows the photo to be viewed without being removed. The entire enclosure was closed with mylar flaps using velcro buttons.