Exhibition Concerns
Daguerreotypes are an important part of a collection, but care should be taken to not permanently display these items. The amount of time daguerreotypes are on display must be limited due to the high potential for degradation through even the slightest touch and prolonged exposure to light. Still, museums, libraries, and archives want to display their commitment to this early form of photography and help the general public learn more about a format not well known to most people. Exhibiting these items provides an opportunity to extend educational outreach not only to adults, but to young people. By promoting digitization and technology, patrons and visitors can continue to learn and visit online collections, strengthening their connection to the facility displaying the items.
Tips for Exhibition
- Light levels for the display should be between 30-100 lux and ultraviolet radiation should be eliminated.
- Check items on display for possible environmental pollutants that could damage the photographs.
- Monitor the exhibition regularly.
- Do not allow photography, as people may damage photos by inadvertently using the flash on their cameras.
- Be sure that photographs are properly sealed to prevent risk from pollutants.
- Digitize daguerreotypes to increase access to materials for the general public and researchers.
- Consider becoming familiar with augmented reality platforms like Layar. Using such a technological tool in tandem with either a handout or a special section of the exhibition will be engaging to young people who would be interested in interactive learning.
- Provenance is a tricky issue with daguerreotypes. Rarely do they come with history or an indication of the photographer or name of subjects in the photograph, which is important to keep in mind for visitors interested in their history.
- The collection policy should make note of the high value of daguerreotypes, regardless of provenance information.