Conserving an albumen print?

[winger]

I have a print that's adhered to what looks like cardboard (though white on the side with the print) and my great-grandfather signed on the cardboard. The print looks to me like it could be an albumen print - very thin tissue-like paper and I can see the fibers of the paper (pretty sure, anyway). I think it's only stuck down at the corners. I can try to get a good photo or two later, but it's behind glass and I'd like to get opinions before I even open it all up. I think it mostly looks ok, especially considering its likely age. I'd like to hang it somewhere in the house instead of sticking it in a dark closet. Our house is pretty lacking in light anyway, but I'm sure I can find a wall where it will never see sun and not much other light.

What, if anything, should I do to try and make sure it lasts as long as it can?
Should I try to find a framing conservator?
TIA!

 

[Clay2]

See if you can find a copy of this book:

http://albumen.conservation-us.org/library/monographs/reilly/

type 'preservation' in the 'search this book' box at start of page.

Best regards,

/Clay

 

[winger]

Thanks, Clay!

 

[pgomena]

Framing it and displaying it may not be the best way to conserve the image. Albumen prints fade over time. The silver in the image is so finely divided that atmospheric pollutants cause the least dense areas to fade away. It may be better to carefully copy the image and display the copy. Conserve the original in acid-free paper in a dark, cool, dry place.