I have some old photos of my family dating back to around the 1900's, what is the best way to display them?

Question

I could just put them in frames but I thought perhaps there may be a different or more unique way of doing it.

They are gorgeous black and white photos, all professionally taken and the people in them are so beautiful, with flawless skin, military uniforms, gorgeous dresses and stunning jewellery. They are so special and priceless to me, I want to make sure I find a nice way of displaying them.

ALL ideas, no matter how left of centre would be appreciated!

Thank you!

:)

Answer 1

Dear Kira,

Considering, how valuable they are to you.  I would not display the original photographs at all.  I would have digital images professionally created, digitally retouched, to deal with any age degradation, and have new prints made on metallic paper.

They new prints could be map-boarded and framed, as you choose.  The originals, could be stored in envelopes, expressly made for that purpose.

Larry

Answer 2

First, get them copied.  You can do this easily by scanning them, and you will have the copies in case anything ever happens to the originals.  It will also help if any of them are wrinkled or torn, or have marks on them.  You can touch up the copies.  

You can get nice frames with mats for the photos, or store them away in an acid-free sleeve and frame the copies.  If there is a lot of humidity or temperature change, or if the sun shines in on pictures, that would be a good way of protecting the originals, while still displaying the pictures as copies.  At any rate, do get mats so the pictures won't make contact with the glass.  Once they stick to the glass, they won't be easy to remove without ruining them.

If you are storing the originals, make sure you store them in acid-free storage, in a place with low humidity and few temperature changes.  Not in an attic, basement or garage, in other words.

Answer 3

If I were you, I would consider preserving them in other forms rather than just in print.  I say this because prints degrade and it becomes very difficult to restore them.  So yes, display them in frames if that is the chosen medium, but keep them away from sunlight as that can fade them.  An interior hallway might be best for placement.  But before you go there, scan them into a digital format.  And if you want to get creative, put the scanned pictures onto a CF card and plug it into a new digital frame.  That will be a real crowd pleaser for your guests.  And it will allow you to  look at them when you want without risking damage to the originals.

Answer 4

Old photographs are very delicate.  You can put them in frames, but keep them away from direct sunlight -- try to put them in a darker area so they don't become faded.  

Answer 5

I think the best way to show off those wonderful pictures would be in a collage. Fisrt laminate the pictures in a clear flim covering to protect them. Then depending on how many pictures you have get a large hollow frame. (About 30x 24) Then buy some black (or any color u choose) photo cardboard. Its the lining that most professional artwork is framed with. You can sometime buy it pre-cut or cut the size you want to outline each photo....u can get large one that holds up to 3 to 4 pictures in one frame which would be the frame you choose to show off all the pictures. After you have cut/bought the outline for the photo's you can put each photo behind the carboard and then put the lining in the frame. All picture would be in one frame, organized in whatever way you choose, protected and  in a glass hollow frame that makes it look like your lookin into a window to see the pictures. And it's also not exspensive. To get a better idea it's kinda like the framed football jerseys but pictures instead of clothing. LOL