MOUNTED ALBUMEN PRINTS

Treatment completed December 2022

Photographer ········· Andelphoi Zangaki
Title ········· Visite De Cimitier
Year ······ c. 1860-1890
Medium ········· Albumen Print
Dimensions (H x W): Print - 8” x 10 5/8”; Mount - 10” x 12 ¾”
Owner ······· University Museums, University of Delaware Library

Description

The photograph is an albumen print mounted overall to a cream color paper support with plain margins. The print was previously part of an album, as evidenced by hinging tape remnants along the right edge of the mount. This mount was originally a double-sided album leaf but has been split, leaving an exposed surface of rough paper fibers on the verso. The top, left, and bottom edges of the mount are decorated in a red water-soluble media. The mounted photograph is comprised of a toned silver image, albumen binder, paper primary support, and paper secondary support.

The image depicts a man (likely Egyptian) standing next to cart with five women riding on it. There is a title printed along the bottom edge of the photograph that reads “Zangaki” on the left and “No 896 visite de cimitier” on the right. There is another inscription in graphite on the top left corner of the mount “4219 IN”, bottom left corner of mount “#14”, and on the verso, bottom left corner, in graphite “92.3.015”.

Condition Assessment

The photograph exhibits overall minor image fading, moderate yellowing of highlights, and fine cracking of the albumen binder. Minor abrasions and crescent creases are scattered overall. Small tears, approximately ¼ inch, on upper right edge, left bottom edge, and a larger tear, approx. ¾ inch, on upper left edge. The print is well adhered to the mount overall, except in a small area on the bottom edge of the print. The print and mount has significant planer distortion. Additionally, the mount exhibits overall moderate surface grime and has yellow-brown discoloration along the edges, and small losses along the perimeter.

Treatment Report

Reduced surface soil on the verso of the print using microfiber cloths, polyurethane cosmetic sponges, mild enzymatic solution and deionized water applied with cotton swabs.
Trimmed and mechanically reduced the mount. The mount was sacrificed in order to safely remove the print. All mount remnants were discarded.
Removed the upper layers of the mount and adhesive residues from the verso of the print in an deionized water bath.
Dried the print flat between non-woven polyester fabric and blotters under weight.
Mended tears using remoistenable mulberry paper tissues activated with 5% Klucel G.
Edge lined the print using remoistenable tissue reactivated with 5% Klucel G adhered to the verso of the print along all edges.

Before Treatment Photography

During Treatment Photography

After Treatment Photography

MOUNTED ALBUMEN PRINTS

Treatment completed December 2021

Photographer ········· unknown
Title ········· Catacombe Del Cappucini, Palermo
Year ······ c. 1860-1890
Medium ········· Albumen Print
Dimensions (H x W): Print - 8” x 10 3/16”; Mount - 10 1/2” x 14”
Owner ······· University Museums, University of Delaware Library

Description

This photograph in an albumen print mounted overall to a cream color paper support with plain margins. The print was previously part of an album, as evidenced by hinging tape along the left edge of the mount. This mount was originally a double-sided album leaf but has been split, leaving an exposed surface of tough paper fibers on the verso. The mounted photograph is comprised of a toned silver image, albumen binder, paper primary support, and paper secondary support.

The image depicts the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, burial catacombs in Palermo, Sicily, southern Italy. There is a significantly faded title printed along the bottom edge of the photograph that reads “CATACOMBE DEL CAPPUCINI – DETTAGLIO G. Incorpora…” There is another inscription in graphite on the top left corner of the mount “4189 IN”, and on the verso, bottom left corner, in graphite “92.3.010”.

Condition Assessment

The photograph exhibits overall minor image fading, moderate yellowing of highlights, and fine cracking of the albumen binder. Adhesive residues appear along all four edges. Minor abrasions are scattered overall, most significant in the bottom left corner. The print is well adhered to the mount overall, except in a small area on the center of the left edge. The print and mount has significant planer distortion. Additionally, the mount exhibits overall moderate surface grime and has yellow-brown discoloration along the edges, small losses along the perimeter, and stray pencil marks.

Treatment Report

Reduced surface soil on the verso of the print using an air blower, soft brush, microfiber cloth, polyurethane cosmetic sponges, mild enzymatic solution and deionized water applied with cotton swabs.
Trimmed and mechanically reduced the mount. The mount was sacrificed in order to safely remove the print. All mount remnants were discarded.
Removed the upper layers of the mount and adhesive residues from the verso of the print in an aqueous bath.
Dried the print flat between non-woven polyester fabric and blotters under weight.
Humidified the print in a Gore-tex package and flattened in thick blotter stack.
Edge lined the print using remoistenable tissue reactivated with 5% Klucel G adhered to the verso of the print along all edges.