Beard early photographs

[Roger Morgan]

I have some family photographs by Richard Beard, but they are deteriorating. Does anyone know how to slow down, repair or whatever. Or does a museum or professional provide this service? I have had the complete set scanned by my local photographic shop, so at least I have a "snapshot". Many thanks for your help.

[Michael Pritchard]

This is very much a job for a professional conservator. There are several that specialise in photographs and I would suggest you use this to find one: http://www.conservationregister.com/index.asp?id=1 

Regards

 

[Roger Morgan]

Thanks for this info, but I really wanted a sort of personal recommendation, being aware that if an unexperienced person tackles the repair, my pictures are then gone for ever! As you know better than I do daguerreotypes are not quite the same as early photographs so it is essential to find someone reliable (In fact I'm not even sure that Beard pictures are the same as daguerreotypes for restoration know how?). Using your link above I have found http://www.conservationregister.com/WorkShopID.asp?Workshop=234&... do you have any experience with them?

[Michael Wong]

This is a long shot, and I know you are based in Austria. But the British Library in London regularly runs a 'Preserving Historic Photographs' Workshop - the next one being held on Friday, 20th May 2011. In addition to Dr Pritchard's recommendation, you might wish to consider contacting British Library direct for advice. Details of this workshop can be found here, and their contact address is:

Preservation Advisory Centre The British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

[JenniferCarnell]

I would suggest you contact Dennis and Casey Waters. They are experts in the field and their work looks excellent:

 

http://www.finedags.com/restoration.shtm

 

 

[Michael Pritchard]

Yes - Nick Burnett is very good.

Roger Morgan said:

Thanks for this info, but I really wanted a sort of personal recommendation, being aware that if an unexperienced person tackles the repair, my pictures are then gone for ever! As you know better than I do daguerreotypes are not quite the same as early photographs so it is essential to find someone reliable (In fact I'm not even sure that Beard pictures are the same as daguerreotypes for restoration know how?). Using your link above I have found http://www.conservationregister.com/WorkShopID.asp?Workshop=234&... do you have any experience with them?

[Adrienne Lundgren]

As a professional photograph conservator, I would agree that you would want to get someone with extensive experience specifically with daguerreotypes.  I am less familiar with conservators in Europe but have seen beautiful work done by Clara von Waldhausen, who has a private atelier in Holland.  In the United States, I would highly recommend Paul Messier and Tom Edmundson who both have considerable experience in daguerreotype treatments.