Case Study

Rehousing a Portrait Collection

Susan Martin

In 1989, conservators at the New York Academy of Medicine received a grant to re-house their extensive “Portrait Collection”.  This heavily used group of 17,000 images included engravings, etchings, photographs and newspaper clippings from the 18th-20th centuries. At that time, most of the portraits were attached to acidic and brittle backings with a variety of adhesives and tapes that were very damaging. Due to the size of the collection, the conservators only had time to remove the portraits from their dangerous mounts and re-house them in appropriate folders.  

When the staff looked through all of the archival catalogues, we were surprised that none of the folders commercially available answered all of our requirements: we required stiff covers on an acid-free folder that would protect the portrait within. We were looking for an inner polyester film envelope that would allow viewing both recto and verso without having to touch the artwork and easy removal if necessary. While researching the problem, we came across an Archival Products catalog containing comments by Barclay Ogden about his successful design collaboration.  We contacted Archival Products and explained our need for a specific type of folder. The people there were immediately enthusiastic about a collaborative effort to create this. After many telephone conversations and numerous prototypes exchanged, the ideal folder was created. Subsequently named the “Academy Folder”, 17,000 folders were ordered in two sizes.

The conservation staff at the Academy was delighted with the result and we found the entire process of design and modification to be very gratifying. Archival Products was supportive from the start of the project and the give-and-take between the parties was always constructive. Now, more than 10 years after the collaboration, Archival Products sells the Academy Folders in nine different sizes and has recently added an oversize line to accommodate newspapers and maps. The conservators at the New York Academy of Medicine use these folders now for many different collections and we are always proud to explain their creation to fellow conservators and other visitors to the lab.

Now over 20 years later, Archival Products continues to collaborate with conservators and organizations to customize products for their preservation needs. 

Susan Martin previously with the Gladys Brooks Book & Paper Conservation Laboratory at The New York Academy of Medicine Library is now a private conservator with Archival Conservation in New York City.

Originally published Archival Products NEWS Volume 9, No. 2

Archival Products presents elegant solutions for preservation for colleges and universities, museums, historical societies, art and music libraries, medical schools and government offices as well as for the private conservator. www.archival.com