Category Archives: Acetate Deterioration

Before and After: 35mm Acetate Film Stripping

Posted on July 18, 2014 by albumenworks

As we have posted previously, we have had some success treating deteriorating 35mm negatives by stripping the gelatin image layer from its acetate base. These are scans of the stripping project and experiments that we have been carrying out over the … Continue reading →

Posted in 35mm Duplication, Acetate Deterioration, Acetate Film Conservation, Acetate Film Restoration, Archival Digitization, Digital Restoration, Negative Scanning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stripping & Recovering 35mm Acetate Roll Film

Posted on June 16, 2014 by albumenworks

Over the past few weeks we have been working on an exploratory project that involves the stripping of the image pellicle from strips of deteriorating 35mm acetate roll film from the 1950s. Our previous experience with stripping microfilm led us to the … Continue reading →

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Negative Deterioration Part Two: Cellulose Acetate Negative Conservation

Posted on July 17, 2013 by albumenworks

Vinegar syndrome, or the process of  cellulose acetate deterioration, is an unavoidable issue for any collection of acetate negatives, either presently or in future decades.  Before deterioration occurs or early in the deterioration process, preventative measures can be taken to … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetate Deterioration, Acetate Film Conservation, Acetate Film Restoration, Archival Digitization, Archival Film Output, Collection Services, Negative Scanning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Negative Deterioration Part One: Digitization and Preservation of Cellulose Nitrate and Cellulose Acetate Negatives

Posted on July 10, 2013 by albumenworks

Before polyester film became readily available in the 1950’s, all flexible film negatives were made on some form of cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate support.  Both of these film bases have deterioration issues, and in the case of nitrate negatives, … Continue reading →

Posted in 35mm Duplication, Acetate Deterioration, Archival Digitization, Archival Film Output, Collection Services, Digital Imaging, Digital Negatives, Negative Scanning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Acetate Negative Recovery Lecture at George Eastman House

Posted on April 24, 2012 by albumenworks

For the second year running Chicago Albumen Works’ Emily Phoenix was asked to deliver a slide presentation on Acetate Negative Recovery (aka: “stripping”) to the students of the Ryerson University Photographic Preservation and Collections Management program and staff at George … Continue reading →

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Gottscho Acetate Negative Recovery

Posted on March 30, 2011 by albumenworks

Approximately 800 negatives made by the architectural photographer Samuel H. Gottscho, in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York, are in the process of being conserved, rehoused, and digitized by Chicago Albumen Works.  As with other … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetate Deterioration, Acetate Film Conservation, Acetate Film Restoration, Archival Digitization, Archival Film Output, Digital Imaging, Digital Negatives, Negative Scanning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

JPAC: Conservation of Acetate film

Posted on February 1, 2011 by albumenworks

CAW is currently working on a project to conserve deteriorated acetate x-rays and flouroscope images from the Korean War.  By stripping the layer of gelatin emulsion away from the deteriorating acetate base, it is possible to flatten these badly distorted, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetate Deterioration, Acetate Film Conservation, Acetate Film Restoration, Archival Digitization, Digital Imaging, Negative Scanning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment