1 INTRODUCTION

Placement Kick and Swirls and Eddie are two gelatin silver photographs by Harold Edgerton from the portfolio “Seeing the Unseen.” These photographs are privately owned as individual works separated from their portfolio. The portfolio was published in 1977 by Mr.Edgerton in an edition of 60, plus seven artist's proofs. Each portfolio box contains seven black and white gelatin silver prints on Kodak Polycontrast paper and five dye transfers, all measuring 11 by 14 inches. The photographs were taped at the top on the emulsion side with Filmoplast-P tape and then attached onto buffered mounts measuring 20 by 16 inches1. There are a total of 469 black and white photographs printed along with 335 dye transfers in existence which have been and probably still are mounted in this fashion.

Examination of the two photographs revealed a yellowed pressure-sensitive hinging material along the top edge. Removal of the tape was proposed due to its discoloration and possible deleterious effects on the gelatin emulsion surface.