Caring for glass plate negatives

The D’Youville College Archives has a small collection of glass plate negatives.  The techniques shown below provide a brief introduction in handling glass plate photographic material.  Note: These glass plates were small, with no cracks or breaks.  For information on the handling and storage of large and/or damaged plates, see Further Resources below.

Original storage enclosure

Original storage enclosure

Glass plate negatives were found in plastic sleeves. Plastic is a poor choice for glass negative storage. The plastic can have a static charge which will lift flaking emultions.

Damaged emulsion

Damaged emulsion

Flaking emulsion on the glass negative. In a glass plate negative, the glass is the base, which serves to support the emulsion. The emulsion contains the image. Flaking emulsion results in image loss.

Removing plate from original enclosure

Removing plate from original enclosure

Working with the emulsion side down, the plastic sleeve is cut along one edge and lifted off the plate. Which side has the emulsion? Generally, the emulsion side is dull and much less reflective than the base (glass) side.

Handling

Handling

Hold glass plates by the edges. Gloves are helpful in protecting emulsions from fingerprints.

Archival enclosure

Archival enclosure

Glass plate negatives should be stored in paper enclosures. Be sure that the enclosures have passed PAT (photographic activity test).

Identification

Identification

Write a description for the plate on the enclosure BEFORE enclosing the plate. For fragile materials such as glass plates, it is best to be as specific as possible in the description to avoid unnecessary handling of the object.

Storage

Storage

Place the glass emulsion side down on the enclosure.

Storage

Storage

Fold over the enclosure flaps. Do not press down on the glass plate.

Box

Box

Store glass plates on the long edge. Plates should be vertical and not slanted, leaning in any manner, or shift within the box. Use bolsters to maintain verticality and support.

Dividers

Dividers

Using foam core or other rigid divider every several plates will also provide support and maintain plate position.

Label

Label

Glass plates are heavy and fragile. Be sure to alert staff of box contents in clear labels.

Further Resources:

  1. Care of Photographs, Northeast Document Conservation Center.  Preservation leaflet 5.3
  2. How do I House Glass Plate Negatives?, National Archives.
  3. Photographs: Archival Care and Management, Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler and Diane Vogt-O’Connor.  Chicago: Society of American Archivist, 2006.


 

Niagara Falls – Buffalo’s Wonder Neighbor

Top: Charles Blondin crossing the Niagara Gorge (while carrying his manager); Bottom: Whirlpool Aero Car.

Top: Charles Blondin crossing the Niagara Gorge (while carrying his manager); Bottom: Whirlpool Aero Car.

The Falls in winter.

The Falls in winter.

Map of Historic Niagara, made for Peter A. Porter, 1891.

Map of Historic Niagara, made for Peter A. Porter, 1891.

Top: Father Louis Hennepin at the Falls, 1697; Middle: Artist conception of beavers buiding dams below the Falls, 1702; Bottom: Early view, 1700-1750.

Top: Father Louis Hennepin at the Falls, 1697; Middle: Artist conception of beavers buiding dams below the Falls, 1702; Bottom: Early view, 1700-1750.

Horseshoe Falls.

Horseshoe Falls.

The Falls in winter.

The Falls in winter.

Source: This is the Story – in Pictures and Words – of Buffalo, One of America’s Truly Great Cities, published by Otto Retter, 1932.


 

The play’s the thing

The Tempest

This short finding aid lists plays produced in the D’Youville auditorium from 1908 to 1967, and minor plays enacted by special groups 1912 to 1962.  Download or view the guide to plays performed at D’Youville here.

Search the finding aid 2 ways:

1. Browse the guide chronologically.

2. Keyword search by using the Ctrl-F function [hold the “control” key and hit “f”].

The Merchant of Venice


 

Anxious to please, as well as instruct…

A Dictionary of the English Language was published by Samuel Johnson in 1755.  Johnson’s Dictionary, as it is also known, was the preeminent English dictionary for some 173 years until the Oxford English Dictionary was published.  The work took some 9 years to produce, and established a standard for creating and presenting entries.  The D’Youville College Archives holds a miniature edition from 1796, Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language in Miniature to which are added, an alphabetical account of the heathen deities; a list of the cities, boroughs, and market towns in England and Wales; a copious chronology; and a concise Epitome of the most remarkable Events during the French Revolution.  In the introduction, editor Joseph Hamilton wrote:

Anxious to please, as well as instruct, the Editor has procured a Type of unequalled Symmetry and Beauty; the Paper is of the finest Quality and Texture, and the typographical Execution unrivalled.

Endpapers.

Endpapers.

Endpapers.

Title page.

Title page.

Title page.

An alphabetical account of the heathen deities.

An alphabetical account of the heathen deities.

An alphabetical account of the heathen deities.

The

The "copious chronology."

The "copious chronology."

Sample page of entries.

Sample page of entries.

Sample page of entries.


 

What was there?

The website What Was There links historical images to locations on Google Maps, giving a snapshot of history wherever you are.  Users upload photos and provide a location and year.  Currently, there are over 100 current and historical images of Buffalo and its vicinity, including the D’Youville campus.

Try it!  Go to http://www.whatwasthere.com and enter a city, state, or country.


 

Vertical File index finding aid

The D’Youville College Archives maintains A to Z subject files of topics, events, and people related to D’Youville College (the “vertical file”).  Materials contained in each file vary, but can include images, correspondence, brochures, and clippings.  An index to the Vertical File is now available online.

Search the index 2 ways:

1.  Keyword search by using the Ctrl-F function [hold the “control” key and hit “f”].

2.  Browse the index by subject, arranged A to Z.


 

D”Youville Rendered

1957 Architect's concept of Madonna Hall

1957 Architect's concept of Madonna Hall

1964 Architect's campus rendering

1964 Architect's campus rendering

1964 proposed Faculty Residence and Student Meditation Chapel

1964 proposed Faculty Residence and Student Meditation Chapel

1964 proposed Faculty Residence

1964 proposed Faculty Residence

1964 proposed Fine Arts Center

1964 proposed Fine Arts Center

1964 proposed Student Union and Athletic Center

1964 proposed Student Union and Athletic Center

Health Science (ALT) Building opened September 1967

Health Science (ALT) Building opened September 1967

Health Science (ALT) Building

Health Science (ALT) Building

1968 Architect's sketch of College Center And Gymnasium

1968 Architect's sketch of College Center And Gymnasium

College Center Lounge

College Center Lounge

proposed Student Center

proposed Student Center


 

Cover Story

In addition to institutional records, the D’Youville College Archives holds rare books, mainly from the late 19th century.  Book publishing expanded rapidly during the 1800s, with books becoming more affordable for the general public.  Most were printed with cloth book covers and often embellished with gold stamping, illustrations, or other ornament.  Although these books were mass-produced, the charm of the illustrative cover art deserves notice.  Below are examples from the rare books collection.

bookcovers001

bookcovers001

bookcovers002

bookcovers002

bookcovers004

bookcovers004

bookcovers005

bookcovers005

bookcovers006

bookcovers006

bookcovers007

bookcovers007

bookcovers008

bookcovers008


 

Nursing Pinning and Capping Ceremonies

 

This year’s pinning ceremony for graduating nurses is May 17 at Roswell Park in the Hohn Lecture Hall. The D’Youville pin is presented to graduates signifying their commitment to the nursing profession.  The Bachelor of Science Nursing program at D’Youville began in 1942 with the first graduating class in 1946.  At the time, D’Youville was a women’s college.  In 1971, the college became co-educational, and male nursing students were admitted.  The 1980s and 90s saw an expansion of the program to include Masters degrees.