USS Nevada Pearl Harbor KIA Photo Album

[Raidercollector]

HI Guys

I have a photo album from the USS Nevada from a sailor that was killed on the Nevada during pearl harbor and 3 of his friends that were also killed on the ship. I have all kinds of photos of these men just before pearl harbor. The last picture entry is Nov 21 1941. It is the neatest photo album I every came across. I also counted some 26 names of other sailors that are also in the Nevada photo album.

Could I have some thoughts on the significance of this album. And how I should preserve it in the original USS Nevada photo album on black paper.

Nick

[KASTAUFFER]

I would keep the album intact. Why take it apart ?

 

Kurt

[Raidercollector]

Kurt

I don,t want to take it apart. But will the photos get ruined on the black acid paper. They are starting to rainbow. Should I put acid free paper between the pages???

Nick

[DevilDan1900]

I used to do a lot of volunteer work in museums and when dealing with documents or photographs, acid free paper is always a good idea. Perhaps not to the extreme of removing the pictures from the pages, as that would compromise much of the significance of the artifact as a whole, but definately in between the pages. Especially if the photos are touching each other, as they are basically impregnated on some level with the assorted fluids used in the original development process, even after 60 years. Also if you want to really get technical, you can wrap it entirely in acid free tissue and store it in an acid free box. Avoiding direct sunlight for any long period of time (we're talking days, weeks, etc.) and make sure it stays in a relatively consistent, moderate temperature and humidity. No extremes such as putting it in the attic or basement. Thats about the best you can do without basically doing "damage" in the name of preservation. That and using cotton gloves when handling it to prevent the salts and oils from your hands getting on it. Hope this helps and good luck being caretaker of your little piece of our nation's history!

[Jeeper704]

I had an album with those black papers too.

At some photos the black color and the acid were already doing damage.

I kept the covers and replaced the black paper with acid free type paper.

That way the photos won't get more damaged.

 

Are the photos adjusted to the album with those little black corner things?

If so, remove them as they do damage too (it happened to the album I have too).

 

Erwin

[ww2vault]

Cool stuff Nick, I am inquiring a son of a USS Nevada vet that was there during Pearl Harbor but he lived and went on to serve in the Pacific. I can't wait to see the items he might have.

 

- Jeff

[Raidercollector]

Some of you say don,t touch the album. Well my question is .If I don,t do anything ,How long will these photos last.Maybe another 20 YEARS,AND ALL THIS HISTORY IS LOST. THIS IS A MARJOR PART OF OUR HISTORY.THAT sucks. i THINK A LEAST I SHOULD PUT ACID FREE PAPER BETWEEN PAGES. I DO HAVE THOSE LITTLE BLACK CORNERS ON THE PHOTOS TO. TONIGHT i HAVE HAD TO MANY BEERS. CAN,T THINK STRAIGHT ANYMORE

 

NICK

[Karl_B]

Nick

 

Is there text with each photo and are the photo corners the glue type or the slip the photo in type?

 

For me the significance for the album is the story it tells through pictures and text.

 

If they can be removed easily then I would remove them place them in an acid free system, keep the album itself and transfer any information across with each photo. While doing all of this scan each photo and if possible scan each photo with the original text.

 

Cheers

 

Karl

[Bob Hudson]

Nick

 

Is there text with each photo and are the photo corners the glue type or the slip the photo in type?

 

For me the significance for the album is the story it tells through pictures and text.

 

If they can be removed easily then I would remove them place them in an acid free system, keep the album itself and transfer any information across with each photo. While doing all of this scan each photo and if possible scan each photo with the original text.

 

Cheers

 

Karl

 

 

Agreed - the photos are the artifacts, unless the album pages have some writing on them: in that case I would make copies of the original photos, put them as fillers in the album pages and place the original photos on some sort of acid-free storage media.

 

If you have a scanner, scan the photos at 200dpi and then print them on inkjet photo paper. Save the scan files as well.

[Griffinroydonald]

I would also vote to scan all the pictures to disc and you will have an image to work with. I always make a file copy and use it for display in an 8x10 format with the uniforms and equipment.

 

I have a navy collection that includes the Flat Tally hats from battleship row at Pearl Harbor. I would love to see scans of the pictures and check the names to see what info turns up.

[Dirk]

Nick: I agree that it is best to avoid taking it apart if you can....are you sure the black pages are the problem and not just the images are fading through age and poor photo paper/finishing. 60 years is a long time for some images to last. If some images aren't fading while others are it may not be the black paper. If your determined though, I would first scan each page with all images on them, then each image, as the order in which a person places pictures in an album also tells a story. If you must and as a last resort, I've seen the Alfred Grey Center take an album apart place each image in its own acid-free bag and number each bag by how they appeared in the album. It sucks as a researcher to see but the conservator said in there was no other choice the album could no longer be handled and was crumbling. Best of luck with whatever course you follow, it sounds like a nice album.