IPI :: Publications

Publications

IPI Media Storage Quick Reference, 2nd Edition

Peter Z. Adelstein, published by Image Permanence Institute, 2009

This two-part publication was created for today's collection care professionals, who must provide long-term, preservation-quality storage for a growing diversity of collection materials—often in a single storage area. The IPI Media Storage Quick Reference (MSQR) distills key preservation issues for still and motion picture film, glass plate negatives, magnetic tape, photographic paper prints, inkjet prints, CDs, and DVDs and helps the user better understand how the storage environment affects them, both individually and in mixed collections. The booklet's text, diagrams, and tables present the information in an easily accessible format. Side 1 of the wheel offers a medium-by-medium overview of preservation issues, recommendations, and guidance on the suitability of four typical storage environments (ROOM, COOL, COLD, and FROZEN); Side 2 is a guide to the types and dates of use of plastic supports commonly used for various film and magnetic tape media. (Both sides shown in image.) 10 pages, durable card stock/comb binding, 8 1/2" x 11" .
Booklet and wheel: $50.00 ORDER NOW

Download the MSQR booklet in PDF format.

The IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film

James M. Reilly, published by the Image Permanence Institute, 1993

The IPI Storage Guide is a four-part publication that explains the effect of temperature and humidity on the rate of film base degradation. It is an important tool for evaluating and planning storage environments for all types of acetate base film, cinema film, and microfilm. The 24-page booklet discusses environmental specifications for film storage and explains the relationship between temperature, relative humidity, and the time it takes for “vinegar syndrome” (the slow, chemical decomposition of acetate plastics) to begin to affect fresh film. Valuable quantitative data is offered in three easy-to-use forms: a wheel (a kind of circular slide rule) with temperature/humidity data and corresponding film life expectancies, graphs, and a time-out-of-storage table. A valuable collection management tool! 24 pages, soft cover, 8 1/2" x 11".
Booklet, wheel, graphs: $50.00 ORDER NOW

Download the 24-page Storage Guide booklet in PDF format.

The Storage Guide for Color Photographic Materials

James M. Reilly, published by the University of the State of New York, New York State Education Department, New York State Library, the New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials, 1998

This 48-page book with its accompanying wheel of environmental conditions provides an overview of the stability of today's color photographic materials and explains how and why color images fade, why they need special storage, and what can be done to make them last as long as possible. 48 pages, soft cover, 8 3/4" x 11 1/2".
Booklet and wheel: $50.00 ORDER NOW

Digital Imaging for Photographic Collections: Foundations for Technical Standards, 2nd edition

Franziska S. Frey and James M. Reilly, published by the Image Permanence Institute

Libraries, archives, and museums are considering digitization as a viable option for preserving their aging and deteriorating photograph collections. This 52-page booklet offers guidelines that these cultural institutions may use in their efforts to convert their photographic collections to digital form. It identifies the key issues affecting image quality, clarifies the choices that must be made before embarking on a digitizing project, and explores ways to measure digital image quality. This publication is the result of IPI research funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. All cited internet resources and references have been updated for the second edition. 52 pages, soft cover, 7" x 9 1/2".
$25.00 ORDER NOW
Download the booklet in PDF format.

Care and Identification of 19th-Century Photographic Prints

James M. Reilly, published by the Image Permanence Institute

Over the years, archivists, curators, librarians, and many others who care for and care about historical photographs have used this important publication as their complete reference handbook on all aspects of the identification and preservation of 19th-century photographic and photomechanical prints. The text presents technical information in plain, understandable language and is supported throughout by high-quality color reproductions showing the various print types and their forms of deterioration. The fine details of print structure are pictured in numerous photomicrographs.

A key feature of the book is its practical, detailed system for 19th-century print identification. The pull-out flowchart that comes with each book is an important component in this system. The front of the chart gives step-by-step guidance for identifying major print types. The reverse side of the chart shows examples of each print type and gives dates of use.

Chapter Titles:

The History of Photographic Printing in the 19th Century
The Component Materials of 19th-Century Prints and Their Forms of Deterioration
Stability of Specific Print Materials
Identification of 19th-Century Photographic and Photomechanical Print Processes
Preservation and Collection Management Storage
Handling, Display, and Care
116 pages, soft cover, 8.5" x11"

$60.00 ORDER NOW

Pioneers of Photography: Their Achievements in Science and Technology

Published by The Society for Imaging Science and Technology

This unique collection of 26 authoritative essays by leading historians, scientists, and inventors tracks the evolution of the medium through its landmark inventions and key technological developments over 150 years. Authors from the United States, Asia, and Europe, have devoted their lifelong studies and careers to the areas discussed in the book. Some were themselves the pioneers who gave birth to new aspects of photography, while others contributed innovations that modified and expanded existing practices.

The essays in this book were selected from the proceedings of the three-day First International Congress: Pioneers of Photographic Science Technology, sponsored by IS&T. This Congress was designed to provide a means for looking at the history of photography with a fresh eye and examining important forces that shaped the field and led to its present level of achievement and importance to the world. The papers cover over a century of work in a broad scope of topics, creating an invaluable historical reference.

285 pages, soft cover.

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Photographic Negatives: Nature and Evolution of Processes

Maria Fernanda Valverde, published by the Mellon Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation (George Eastman House/Image Permanence Institute), 2004

This attractive poster introduces the viewer/reader to the technical evolution of photographic negatives over time. The poster features a timeline and images and text describing the eight most important negative types. A complementary PDF booklet is available for download. It offers detailed discussion of the chemical and physical properties of these negatives, recommendations for their safe storage, keys to their identification, their place in photographic history, and much more.
Poster (28" x 42")

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Download the complementary booklet in PDF format.

Knowing and Protecting Motion Picture Film

Knowing and Protecting Motion Picture Film Poster, 2010. Published by the Image Permanence Institute and developed with contributions from recipients of the both the AMIA Image Permanence Institute Internship in Preservation Research Award and recipients of the Image Permanence Institute L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation Internship Award.

This large poster (47" x 35") takes the viewer through the fascinating history of motion picture film materials. Using microscopy-imaging techniques, this poster features the striking characteristics of twelve distinct film materials from the silent era to present day. It features a time-line of motion-picture technology, a wide variety of motion picture film processes, tips for material identification, and basic knowledge on film formats and soundtracks. Also included is practical advice for film examination, a glossary of technical terms, and critical information needed for long-term preservation. Most notably, this poster is seen as an educational tool for understanding and ultimately preserving motion picture film materials. Poster (47" x 35").

Click for enlarged views of the poster.

$50.00 ORDER NOW

New Tools for Preservation: Assessing Long-Term Environmental Effects on Library and Archives Collections

James M. Reilly, Douglas W. Nishimura, and Edward Zinn, published by the Commission on Preservation and Access, 1995

This publication introduces time-weighted preservation index (TWPI) technology, a concept developed at IPI that provides a new way to measure and quantify the effects of temperature and humidity changes on the preservation quality of storage environments for collections of organic materials. 35 pages, soft cover, 8 1/2" x 11".
$25.00 ORDER NOW

Research Project Reports

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