Things You'll Need:
- Permacel J-Lar 910 or other plastic tape
- Glass cleaner
- Soft cotton cloth
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Step 1
Study and understand the nature of a daguerreotype. A daguerreotype image reflects, much as a mirror does. Since silver tarnishes, daguerreotype artists put their images behind glass and sealed them with tape. The image, protected by glass, was then put into a hinged case. When the silver of a daguerreotype begins to tarnish, the image takes on a dark bluish tint. The viewer must tilt a daguerreotype at an angle to see the image.
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Step 2
Air sometimes gets in under the tape, which tarnishes the edge of the image. When air leaking under the original paper tape tarnishes the edge of the daguerreotype, the resulting patina often enhances the value of the image. In that case, the daguerreotype should be resealed, no more. (Some collectors value the original seal.) The Conservation Research and Testing Office of the Library of Congress used Permacel J-Lar 910 tape to reseal the Matthew Brady daguerreotypes taken during the Civil War (see References below).
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Step 3
Dirty glass covering a daguerreotype can muddy the image. Cleaning dirty glass is easy with a commercial glass cleaner. Dry it with a soft cloth. Do not remove the glass unless it is what collectors call "weeping glass," which is when a milky, oily substance oozes from antique glass and fouls the plate, causing it to develop pits. If you have to remove the glass because it is weeping or to better reseal the edges to prevent further tarnishing, have it done by an experienced person who knows how to reseal it properly.
