Reviewer's Comments About "The Permanence and Care
of Color Photographs: Traditional and Digital Color
Prints, Color Negatives, Slides, and Motion Pictures"

Since its publication in 1993, The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs: Traditional and Digital Color Prints, Color Negatives, Slides, and Motion Pictures, by Henry Wilhelm and contributing author Carol Brower, has received critical acclaim in more than 100 reviews and articles in newspapers, photography magazines, and museum publications.  In 1994 the book was awarded a special commendation by the Society of American Archivists for ". . .writing of superior excellence and usefulness, which advances the theory and practice of preservation in archival institutions."  Although this fully-illustrated 744-page hardbound book focuses on color photography — it is the first book published in the world on the stability and preservation of color photographs and motion pictures — the book also gives the most comprehensive set of recommendations ever published on the storage and display of black-and-white photographs.  In addition, the book discusses and shows disturbing examples of the catastrophic image degradation that can occur with displayed black-and-white RC prints.

•"The phrases 'instant classic,' 'definitive work' and 'standard reference work' may be somewhat abused these days but if they were ever appropriate it would be to describe the 740 plus pages of The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs . . ."
     — Joseph Meehan (Photo District News [now PDN], July 1994)

•" 'Finally,' sighs National Geographic Society's Robin Siegel, conservator of some 12 million photographs.  "We've been waiting for documentation like this from a reputable source.'  Adds Peter Galassi, director of photography for New York's Museum of Modern Art: "Henry's work has been enormously valuable to us for protecting our collection.' "
    — Wendy Bounds (The Wall Street Journal, August 9, 1994)

•"The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs is the most significant photography book to be published in recent years.  The book ties together the history of color photography, as well as the latest developments in digital imaging, providing a fascinating overview of where photography has been — and its projected future.  As a resource book it is unsurpassed."
    — Scott Teaford (Communication Arts — 1994 Photography Annual, August 1994)

•"This book is a must for anyone concerned about archiving color images, and should be required reading for all stock agencies, picture libraries, and corporate archivists . . . ."
    — George Schaub (Outdoor & Travel Photography, November 1993)

• ". . . a front-line report on the fierce battle between the consumers of photographic materials — filmmakers, photographers, archivists, even the public — and the manufacturers, especially Eastman Kodak."
    — A. D. Coleman (Photography in New York, January/February 1994)
 
• "This is the most important book on the craft of photography to have been published in ages.  I rank the significance of this book up there with Ansel Adams' books on basic photography."
     — Ctein (Photo>Electronic Imaging (now PEI magazine), September 1993)

• "I cannot imagine anyone responsible for a collection of color photographic images who will not be richly rewarded by having a copy of this book, for background information and ready reference.   I know of no other such comprehensive survey of this whole field, all its information scrupulously researched, clearly and attractively presented."
    — Daniel W. Jones, Jr. (Peabody Museum, Harvard University, September 1993)

• "Mr. Wilhelm's work is a valuable guide for everyone who uses a camera seriously.  It is packed with tips on what color film to use, how to find the right processing [labs] and how to mount and store pictures."
    — John Durniak (The New York Times, July 18, 1993)

• "With 20 years of intensive research behind it . . . The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs reads more like an encyclopedia than a general textbook on the care of color photographs.  It is not just about color photography.  This book is really the definitive reference book on the preservation of 20th-century photographic materials, and it tells an intriguing story.  It does not flinch from identifying the aging characteristics of specific brand names, and in doing so, Wilhelm has helped the photographic community set higher standards for image permanence.  This book is also important because it will greatly serve future historians as they examine the transitional years from the dominance of photography based on silver halide chemistry to the emergence and eventual succession of digital electronic imaging."
    — Mark H. McCormick-Goodhart - Smithsonian Institution
        (Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Spring 1996)