Pictures of Preservation

So, why Pictures of Preservation you ask. Well, the whole purpose of preservation is to of course preserve images.  So we should take a good look at what is involved in Preservation.  Many times we only see the results of these efforts, we don't get a chance to see how this process has developed over time.  Preservation can take many forms, and while the technical details can change here and there,  the work done by very talented people remains the same.  It is through the dedication of these people that we are able to have these Historic Artifacts available to us.  

Our benefactor of funds raised through this "Blogathon" is the National Film Preservation Foundation.Please consider donating  to the NFPF.  As we are looking to raise funds to add musical accomplishment to the film "The White Shadow"  by the wonderfully talented Michael Mortilla and have it streamed on the NFPF website for 3 months.  Here is the link  for donations:

These series of photos will provide a brief overview of Storage and Handling of Motion Picture Film mainly from the 1930's.  The majority of  these photos are from the National Archives.

After some very serious fires in Film Exchanges The National Board of Fire Underwriters sponsored a
series of test on storage and handling of Nitrate Film. As a results of these test the first "official" standards for Handling and Storage of Nitrate Film were established. 

1915 Nitrate Film Test Conducted by the Nation Board of Fire Underwriters.

Kodak Booklet from 1920's Related to Film Storage

 

Kodak Booklet 1920's showing  Burned Film

1927 US Dept. of Agriculture Film Vault in Washington D.C.

(note Washington Monument in the background)

Storage of U.S. Government Motion Picture Film

prior to accessioning by the National Archives in 1937.

Storage of U.S. Government Motion Picture Film

prior to accessioning by the National Archives in 1937.

 First films being accessioned by National Archives 1937

Films being inspected National Archives 1937

Film Storage National Archives 1937.

             These early images represent some of the first steps in the process of our U.S. History in
              Film Preservation.   

The next post will include some early photos from the early 1940's dealing with preservation of the Library of Congess Paper Print Collection.