tape removal

[Bern]

G'day,
My wife recently inherited her family's German ancestral photo album, which contains images dating back to the first types printed on photographic paper. Unfortunately, some time during the album's recent history, someone taped the loose photos back into it by using masking tape. Is there a safe way of removing the masking tape from the photos, without destroying the images. Any information or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Bern

[juoneen]

Masking tape is not as bad as some other tapes. Sometimes if left alone for years the tape will come off with time. Can you show the worst case scenario?

[inimicus]

lo heat from a hair dryer and patience

[Ron Weinand]

inimicus is correct IMO.

[jayhawkhenry]

low heat with a hair drier and some patients will work. Don't rush it, it will pull the emulsion off the photo. you may end up with a bit of discoloration from the glue. That sometimes can be gently cleaned off with a soft cloth or cotton swab and light amount of alcohol. I would carefully try a test area first.

Good luck.

[Bern]

Thanks for the tips gents.