Visual Resources as Archives: The Case of the Lane Brothers and Tracy O’Neal Collections

Part 1: From Office Records to Archives

Visual Resources Association 2010 Conference

March 19th

Peter J. Robertsproberts@gsu.edu

Overview Acquisition of Lane and O’Neal History File naming Scanning policy On-line access Preservation Physical and intellectual

Overview Acquisition of Lane and O’Neal History File naming Scanning policy On-line access Preservation Physical and intellectual

Acquisition of Lane and O’Neal

History of Lane and O’Neal

The Lane Brothers began as ambulance chasers trying to scoop their competitors and sell their pictures to news outlets.

History of Lane and O’Neal

The Lane Brothers later specialized in advertising, insurance, real estate, publicity, and newspapers.

History of Lane and O’Neal

Tracy O’Neal specialized in labor unions, weddings, and the Shriners

History of Lane and O’Neal

The Lane Brothers and Tracy O’Neal became Atlanta’s leading commercial photographers in the mid 20th Century.

History of Lane and O’Neal

Their legacy is a visual chronicle of the economic, social, and political forces that transformed Atlanta from a regional city into the commercial capital of the South.

Intellectual Preservation:Arrangement and Description Artificial Arrangement (Lane

Brothers)

Intellectual Preservation:Arrangement and Description Original Order (Tracy O’Neal)

Intellectual Preservation:Arrangement and Description

Intellectual PreservationArrangement and Description

Intellectual Preservation File Naming

LBGP === Geographic PlacesLBGPF == .. FacilitiesLBGPNS == .. Named StreetsLBCB === Corporate BodiesLBCE === Corporate EventsLBMPE == Movie Premiere EventsLBP ==== Portraits….

Intellectual PreservationFile Naming

LBCB024-004a translates as Lane Brothers, Coroporate Bodies (Series), Box 24, Envelope 4, scanned image “a”.

Leading zeros are necessary for computer file listings.

Physical PreservationSelection for Scanning and Preservation

Not all photographs are equal Handout Selection for cold storage and scanning

Selection for Scanning and Physical Preservation

Street scenes and buildings are the most requested

Selection for Scanning and Preservation

Second most requested are people (politicians, celebrities and family members)

Selection for Scanning and Preservation

Third most requested are events

Scanning constraints Early scanning limited by computer

speed and storage costs. Todays PC 10X faster than in 1999. 5.25 floppies were still being used. A 1.4MB b&w TIFF file (300 dpi of a 4X5

negative) could be copied to a researcher’s floppy disc, was more than adequate to create a 8X10 digital print and could be e-mailed.

Scanning Constraints

Access not preservation

Scanning Policy

On-line access

Physical Preservation Negatives are made of cellulose

acetate which becomes more acidic over time and channel after about 50 years.

Physical Preservation

Physical Preservation Select channeled negatives were

restored by the Chicago Albumen Works for about $90 each.

Conclusion