One of the joys and challenges of working with books is that they are moving objects which were made to be read. Our experience working in a bindery has given us in-depth experience of how books are constructed.  This, combined with our conservation training and experience, means that we ensure any remedial work will result in the long-term stability of the book, as well as the functionality that the client needs.

One of the reasons we love photographic materials conservation is because it involves such a wide range of objects. From daguerreotypes to cellulose nitrate, platinum prints to glass plate negatives, we have worked on them all. We have a deep appreciation of the historical integrity of photographs and carry out all remedial work within an ethical framework agreed upon by us and our clients.

Photographic materials and books go hand-in-hand with paper conservation. Our work within this specialism is varied and we often have projects that are solely paper based - from single large scale maps in need of cleaning and repair, to entire collections of sales particulars to be prepared for digitisation. We can carry out full interventive treatments or simply stabilise the objects to enable them to be safely handled.

Whilst we love getting hands-on with collections, we also appreciate that they need to be cared for on a larger scale, or should be surveyed ahead of loans, acquisitions and exhibitions. We can carry out tailor-made condition surveys to provide objective information about the present condition of your collection, as well as the risks it may face in the future. Our conservation management plans are clear, concise and provide a baseline from which strategic, evidence-based decisions can be made regarding the care of your collections, allowing resources to be targeted at those areas which need it the most.

Giving training is one of the things we love doing the most. From a one-day “Caring for Books” introductory session to a week-long intensive glass plate negative workshop, we can tailor training sessions to your needs.

“Fantastic course, very informative and interactive, extremely accessible”

“Really enjoyed training. Very knowledgeable trainer. Hands-on and informative - great mix”

Feedback after a Caring for Photographic Materials Training Day at Kresen Kernow, Archives and Cornish Studies Service 

We believe that conservation both compliments and improves digitisation programmes. It can reduce the handling of the often fragile materials undergoing photography, whilst also vastly improving the quality of the resulting digital image - a win-win. We can either conserve material ahead of a digitisation project or we can work with our own hugely experienced photographers and digitisers who have great respect for the objects they are working on, capturing them at the highest quality appropriate to your needs.