Imaging Working Group

Blocked Glass Plate Negatives

  • 1.  Blocked Glass Plate Negatives

    Posted 03-11-2024 13:45

    Hello everyone,

    My name is Natalija Hermann and I am a student in conservation /restoration of photographic material / graphics and books from the University of Applied Science in Bern.

    For my Master Thesis I will focus on a collection of blocked glass plate negatives (glass plates adhered one to another because of high humidity and/or a water damage in combination with a thigh storage in boxes).

    Therefore, I wanted to ask if someone has experience with treating resp. separating such glass plate negatives adhered to one another forming a stack?
    (With solvents, vacuum, laser techniques, or different treatments?)


    I would also be glad for hints and recommendations on specific literature on the topic of separating blocked negatives.
    (I already found some literature on blocked photographic materials (flexible supports or prints on glazing but none specifically on blocked glass plate negatives.)

    And information on whether someone has experience with separating them digitally with imaging methods– for example with CT?

    Thank you in advance for your response!

    With kindest regards
    Natalija



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    Natalija Hermann
    Student in Conservation / Restauration Book/Graphic/Photography
    University of Applied Science Bern
    Switzerland
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