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July 16, 2015 at 6:23 pm #5380luisflierl26Participant
I’m preparing to start digging into the photo collection. I need to make some decisions on what types of storage systems to invest in. Plastic sleeves in photo books vs photo boxes.
We have about 7-8 shoebox size plastic boxes full of 4×6 photos from the 1980’s-1990’s, I think Dale Walker took most, but I also think some were traded to him or donated. Basic railfan shots of varying quality. There are a lot of bad pictures in the mix. Some labeled on back, some not. I plan to sort these into categories – locomotives, freight equip, cabooses, passenger, frisco 1522 (yep we have a bunch). I will probably separate out the non MP stuff into another pile. I will probably trash all farm animals, trees, tall downtown buildings, vacation photos, and other scenery shots.
We also have several boxes of B&W 8x10s. About half are Joe Collias, and about half I believe are builder photos (many are closeups of equipment parts, and interior shots). …. Binders or photo boxes????
And then I have several boxes of MISC stuff, many older B&W images, etc…. Lots of good stuff in the MISC category. But it needs to be organized so we know what we have.
NEGATIVES – we have lots of 35mm negatives that are in original envelopes with the 4×6 photos. I’m not sure if I should figure out a system to store them together, maybe in sleeves in binders, or create a separate negative storage area.
Anybody have any preferences or recommendations on how to proceed, or what systems would be preferable. One thing to consider is hopefully we will start scanning the photo collection also, but it needs to be organized first.
I’m also starting a pile of stuff to have the state scan for us for Missouri Digital Heritage
July 17, 2015 at 2:48 pm #6808peggyrothschildParticipantI can come down in the Fall and help go through the photos and hopefully identify some for you. We are going to Alaska in September so will be out of pocket most of the month. Farm animals! I don’t even want to try and figure out why we have those in the archives?
July 17, 2015 at 8:19 pm #6810luisflierl26ParticipantSounds good Charlie. Right now I’m more interested in how best to store them, then work on identifying, scanning, tagging, etc….
July 17, 2015 at 10:55 pm #6817clemmie_doris12ParticipantSlides should be stored in metal storage boxes. I would think that metal boxes for photos would be best, if there is such a thing. Has anyone done any research on the best archival storage methods for photos? The main thing is to get them scanned, at a high resolution, as soon as possible. These things won’t last forever, no matter what we do.
David, we have a member in Arizona by the name of Ted Ferkenhoff. He is a member of this forum. I believe his usernsame is TFerk. He is anxious to help us and he has experience with scanning etc. Why don’t you send him a PM and solicit his participation. I believe he has some material to donate as well. He would be a good asset. I know the distance will be an issue, but it can be overcome. Let me know what he says.
August 12, 2015 at 11:57 am #7054luisflierl26ParticipantMost of our B&W photos are MP. The MP stuff I plan to scan and store in proper photo boxes. I am not going to individually catalog each print (at least not at this time – maybe down the road it can be done if we ever have space and work sessions).
We have a ton of 4×6 color photos taken in late 1980’s – 1990’s. Some of them are old MP equipment. Most is assorted other railroads and also UP Steam or Frisco 1522 steam, local railfan photos, or photos taken on trips. Some are of old MP depots and structures. I believe most are Dale Walker photos, or photos his friends sent to him. Most are not professional looking photos. Some of them are interesting, especially the local excursion ones.
Most of these color 4×6 photos are still stored in the original enveloped from the photo shop they came from, many still have the 35mm negatives inside the envelopes. What do we want to do with this stuff?Just stash it in boxes as is?
See if anyone else wants it?
Should we attempt to organize?
Should we just pull out the MP related stuff?
If we decide to keep it, how archival do we want to get with this stuff?August 12, 2015 at 12:25 pm #7055peggyrothschildParticipantI’d recommending pulling the MP stuff first and deep six the remaining photos.
August 27, 2015 at 1:39 am #7142clemmie_doris12ParticipantI would not throw away the non-MP stuff. There is probably a UP or Frisco guy that would want it. I would be glad to get this stuff at GBT and then look for an interested receiver.
August 28, 2015 at 2:19 am #7147luisflierl26ParticipantI won’t throw it away, except for the junk photos.
I will sort out the MP stuff from the non stuff.
The steam railfan trip photos are good, most of those are probably excursions run by St Louis NRHS back in the day, I probably know some of the people in the photos when I actually sit down and go through them. They will be put to good use – all in good time.
Still scanning and sorting the 8x10s right now. Working on some cool passenger car builder photos now, one box scanned and filed, two more boxes to go.
November 6, 2015 at 12:30 pm #7457luisflierl26ParticipantSmall steps, but making progress.
November 9, 2015 at 1:24 pm #7468peggyrothschildParticipant@dhuelsing wrote:
Small steps, but making progress.
I hope you’re taking ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos. You are not only making progress but the material is well protected for future historians.
November 11, 2015 at 12:10 am #7476luisflierl26ParticipantHere’s your before photos – 1st day on the job November 2012
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