The TAPPI Standard Paper Materials Collection of the Library of Congress: A Photomicrographic Collection

By Anne Downey, Paper Conservation Intern*
Conservation Division
and
Frank Hengemihle, Research Chemist
Preservation, Research and Testing Division

The Library of Congress' study collection of TAPPI paper samples has long been used for microscopic research to aid the work of conservators and students. Anne Downey and Frank Hengemihle augmented the study collection by creating photomicrographs of each of the samples in the collection. Images of individual fibers were produced through optical microscopy; companion images of each sample were produced through Scanning Electron Microscopy.

A digital version of the images has been created for greater researcher access to the photomicrographic collection. To create this version, the original photographs were scanned and saved as uncompressed TIF files, which are maintained for archival use. Secondary, compressed JPEG files were generated from the TIF files to make the images more portable for email and importing to document files. Microsoft Word was used for the preparation of this document, which was then converted to an Adobe PDF file for portability. The work has been divided into sections (and therefore multiple PDF files) to facilitate use for email.

The original photographs and negatives are housed at the Library of Congress Preservation and Conservation Microscopy Laboratory. An additional set of photographs are held by the American Philosophical Society Library's Conservation Department.

*Anne Downey is currently Head of Conservation at the American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia.