With Proper Care, Photos Continue to Tell Stories

The family album is family history captured in images. For some, the pictures may include daguerreotypes and tintypes from the 1800s as well as contemporary color prints.

In many families, the photographic record of milestones might begin with a portrait of great-grandparents on their wedding day, then continue with pictures of other important occasions: babies’ baptisms, high school graduations or fathers posed in military uniforms before heading off to war.

Most antique personal photographs that have survived in good condition were either sealed under glass in standard-size, hinged tintype cases or inserted carefully into the thick cardboard leaves of a picture album. Remarkably large numbers of these containers can be discovered today, still filled with photographs in almost pristine condition.

However, careless handling, humid or overly bright environments and inevitable chemical deterioration have damaged thousands of old family photographs beyond repair. Daguerreotypes cannot be restored, and any tintype restoration should be attempted by experts only.

Many color photographs have suffered greatly, too, from improper storage or handling. If you are concerned about keeping valued images in a particular environment, seek counsel from a reputable authority on old photographs. Replace worn albums, if necessary. Buy acid-free envelopes and partitioned boxes for storing loose prints and negatives.

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To learn whether your damaged family photographs can be restored, contact the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. This organization offers a free referral system, called Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, that will help you identify and locate conservation professionals. Mail your written request to: Foundation of American Institute for Conservation, 1717 K St., N.W., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 26000.