Abstract
Silver gelatin prints are found abundantly among photographic collections. They are composed of three main components: the final image material, filamentary silver particles; the binder, gelatin; and the primary support, paper. Due to this complex structure, silver gelatin prints are very vulnerable to the surrounding environment, particularly to air pollutants. As a result, silver gelatin prints commonly suffer from an image decay form known as silver mirroring, a bluish metallic sheen found on the surface of such photographs. The aim of this study is to assess several treatments to determine which is efficient and safe for use to treat silver mirroring. The following treatments were tested: ethyl alcohol (100%), ethyl alcohol and distilled water (80:20%), Magic Rub vinyl eraser, Faber Castell eraser, and gelatin coating. Treatments were evaluated using visual inspection, microscopic inspection, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements. Long-term effect of the treatments on the photographic samples was studied using artificial aging. Samples were exposed to humid heat aging conditions at a temperature of 80 degrees C and 65% RH for 5 day. The paper also presents the conservation of a historical silver gelatin print suffering from mirroring. Treatment carried out included: disinfection, mechanical cleaning, and dismantlement of secondary support, deacidification, tear mending, remounting and retouching.