That could be really cool! I think putting a colorful frame around it and dark solid fabric behind it would make the image pop. Hanging it near a good light source would make the image show up better.

Looking forward to the ideas, I have several small ones that I can't figure out what to do with. Thanks!

Maybe frame it over a mirror and put it in a light saturated room? Alternatively, you could hang it between a window and a light colored wall and enjoy the projection. FYI...you could have it photo copied on to overhead projector sheet (you know those old school ones used by elementary schools prior to the lcd era)...which will hold up better in the elements. Pretty sure that Kinkos or an office supply place can hook you up...

What a neat find. I've never thought about how one might display this, but off-hand, if you're looking for a reasonably inexpensive way to do it, I wonder about making use of one of those "floating" frames (the ones with two pieces of glass and you're supposed to position the photo or whatever between the layers). I wonder if you might be able to remove one of the panes and insert your glass negative before putting the back one on (or whatever will best protect the negative).
Then maybe hang the framed piece as you would with gallery wire over the window of your choice.

Alternatively, a framer might be able to construct something custom to hold the piece and support it.

Good luck!

First let me just say, it looks like you've received a beautiful image!
The photo archivist in me cringes at the idea of displaying this negative, let alone in natural sunlight! However, if the emulsion is as bad as you say, and if it is not by a famous or even known photographer, or a revolutionary piece of photo history, I say go for it!

One option is to have the image printed. You could probably find a local photographer (or school with a photo lab) and have them make either a contact print or an enlargement for little or no cost. And then simply purchase an archival housing for the plate itself.

Or if you insist on displaying the plate, I recommend making - or having made- a unique frame that fits the plate snugly. I also recommend getting some archival mylar (clear plastic) and sandwiching the plate with it before framing. If you want the image to last any significant amount of time you need to keep it in a temperature controlled environment, and out of the sun. The ideal display would be a lightbox that you can turn on and off for viewing.

here are a few resources:
http://gawainweaver.com/
http://www.webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/The_Preservation_of_Glass_Plate_Negatives.html

I think a floating frame is the way to go. I use them often for small weavings, the usually run $15-$30 at craft stores. You would simply put the negative in between the two pieces of glass. You could either lean it against a window or hang with wire as someone suggested above.

I agree with jessicamc, maybe because we share a name. My cousin etched a piece of glass with a Bible verse for my grandmother. He framed it and attached chains to the top with eye hooks. It hangs from a nail above the window.

I think displaying it will destroy it- I just happened to finish watching the Ken Burns Civil War doc and they said that many of Matthew Brady's glass negatives were lost because they were sold to be used as glass in greenhouses after the war, and were bleached out by the sun.

I would suggest contacting a photographer or art conservation specialist and having a print made to display, and a proper storage box made for the negative.

I don't really know a lot about how these glass negatives work, so my advice could be total baloney. But when I see that image, I think it would look beautiful framed in front of a piece of colored paper or fabric. Experiment by using different hues of a color that works with your existing decor, for a room where it would not receive direct sunlight. Best of luck!

If you illuminated it from the top or bottom, would the image "glow"? I'm thinking something like a battery-powered LED strip, and maybe with a black background it might show well? I've never handled a glass negative so I have no idea if that would work.

Something like this light: http://www.amazon.com/Seasense-Bimini-Strip-Batteries-Included/dp/B004XAD2MG/

I second the lightbox display over the hanging it in a window - the heat would degrade it pretty quickly. Perhaps something like this instead: http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Movie-Poster-Light-box/

I am also cringing at displaying a glass plate. There are so few left after the greenhouses that we cherish and preserve every one we get in our photo studio. It's a beautiful neg, but I have two thoughts for you...

1. Get a print of it no matter what. You may be able to scan it, though the glass often creates funky light issues called Newtons rings. You may have to photograph it against a lightbox with a digital camera then invert it to a positive in the computer - this is what we do for ours.

2. Some of the glass plates were processed with some very nasty chemistry - photographers didn't live long back then. There may be residue that some people have a bad reaction to, avoid touching the faces of the plate. If you're going to hang it, I would encase it in protective glass. This will also slow down fading.

ladykatey : I was thinking of the extra same thing.. I can see that portion of the documentary playing like memories fading away.

If you're truly not afraid of ruining it as you say, frame it, attached screw eyes to the top of the frame & hang with chain in front of a window. That said, never would I. It's a lovely & rare piece, a bit blurry or not.

If you choose to go this route, I'd definitely get a print of it first as ilpearlly suggested. It will degrade over time and you might regret your choice down the road. A print won't replace it but it might make you feel better when you have to give it up (and you will).
Alternatively, you could ship it to me.

you could have someone from a stained glass shop make you a frame... or take a class and DIY...

definitely print this one before you decide it isn't "good enough" to preserve. its a well composed, nice image to me.

As cool as it is, negatives aren't meant to be displayed, they're meant to be developed. ;) Have a reputable conversion company develop the picture (via scanner or photographed lightbox) to have it printed and then frame that. They're super fragile and need to be inverted to be seen. You need to keep it out of the sun and in a warm-to-hot area with any lighting. Develop the negative as God intended and show off the picture. =)
I have used iMemories in the past for all my photo & video conversion needs. http://www.imemories.com/getstarted/pricing.htm

Thank you everyone! I'm a photographer myself so I realize it's sacrilege to speak of displaying it and thus degrading it. But I have enough negatives and prints that are precious to me and stored away safely where they will last--and where I never see them! I like the floating frame idea. I will try to find a frame that has protective glass, or maybe get some cut to fit a standard floating frame.