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Volume 2, Number 2, March-April 2006 In FocusConservation Treatment of a
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 Photograph album before conservation treatment Source |
In 2005, an ambitious conservation project got underway when conservators at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) surveyed the condition of the studio proof albums of William James Topley. The collection of 66 albums contains over 50,000 photographic portraits of local patrons, visiting dignitaries, Members of Parliament, Prime Ministers and Governors General, taken at the Topley studio in Ottawa between 1868 and 1926. The Public Archives of Canada acquired the entire Topley collection in 1936, including the studio proof albums. These were used as finding aids until the 1980s, after which access to them was restricted because of their poor physical condition.
The conservation treatment of the first album (1868)--the most deteriorated in the collection--presented many challenges: mould on the albumen photographs, support leaves, covers and binding material; cockling, creasing and tearing of the photographs and support leaves; loose, detached and missing photographs; and deterioration of the binding materials, sewing structure, covering leather, cloth and boards.
 Reattachment of photographs during conservation treatment Source |
The project was carried out by a team of LAC conservators, each contributing their expertise in the area of paper, photograph or book conservation. Four interns from various national and international conservation training programs participated in the project by sharing their views and performing certain treatments.
During conservation, several standard procedures were used, including the removal of mould, general cleaning and the repair of tears. Specialized techniques were developed for the humidification and flattening of the support leaves and albumen photographs, and the subsequent reattachment of photographs. The treatment of the album reduced the risk of further deterioration, making it accessible and contributing to its long-term preservation. This project was successful; it led to the development of a standardized methodology, which will be used in treating the remaining 65 albums.