how to preserve photos?

[merdock]

Hi,
What is the best way to straighten and preserve wartime photos? have some that have curled up and would like to flatten them.
Thanks for any help Merdock

[Andrew Harris]

Here you go:

http://www.lindner-usa.com/corp_5/2/...l?changelang=2
http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lighthouse.sf/
http://www.safepub.com/sections/post...cting-supplies

Choose any album you want, but see for "ACID FREE" plastic bags...

[John Pen.]

Photo flattening:

Merdoc and Andrew, That's one way to flatten them.
You can also try the inexpensive way; Get a flat surface like a table top and lay a clean and dry piece of paper on it, then lay a few photos face down close together on the paper. Put another piece of paper on top of photos and then a book that covers all photos completely, then start to stack books on top of that book, as high as you can safely go without stack toppling over, ...or table breaking
...about 7-10 heavy books should do. Leave it alone for a few days and have a peek. If they are not "un-curled" enough leave it for another week or more.

But, the photos will eventually curl up again if you don't put them in an alblum or keep them flat somehow like in a plastic sleeve or something.
Also be aware that any photos you do this with cannot have anything sticky on them like glue or such, especially on the front, because when you remove from (homemade)compression unit, the photos may stick to paper and that could be disasterous. Practice with lesser valued photos first. Good luck.
Jp
Also, make sure that table top and first book is clean, dry and has flat surface as well(facing photos).

Also, you could pay $$ to a professional to do it expertly.

[Paul R.]

Excellent advice all!! From the Conservation Guy I would also add use clean cotton gloves. Paul

[AlexAtlas]

John's reply is probably the most info you'll need. Also works for any paper documents.

My only add-on to this would be see if the photo has any new crackling when you flatten it or unroll it. If it does, go to a professional photo place that restores, they will be able to work their magic on it usually.

I have a # of large (1-5 feet long) divisional photos from early 1900's and had some cracking in one when I tried to unfold it. Photo place was able to fix it and do a nice acid-free framing for it.

[merdock]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice guys ,what about warming them up over a radiator
? so that they are softer?
Merdock

[Paul R.]

Merdock. I would strongly advise against using a radiator to uncurl a photo. I used to do a lot of black and white photography. Originally old black and white photos had a sheen applied to the surface. (it locks in a shine and stiffened the paper so it would not curl). The photo was quickly soaked in a solution then applied to a shiny heated surface for several minutes until it appeared shiny. Re heating just a curled photo will not relax it again. If you know somebody that has any old black and white darkroom equipment, and knows about the old drying method that could help you out. The photo would have to be soak and the reglossed again. Still again it depends on the original photographic papers condition. I had done this several times in the past but it's kinda tricky and you need the correct equiptment.
Most newer black and white photographic paper has a very thin resin finish applied to the paper stopping the paper from curling.

Hi,
Thanks for the advice guys ,what about warming them up over a radiator
? so that they are softer?
Merdock

[John Pen.]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice guys ,what about warming them up over a radiator
? so that they are softer?
Merdock

I totally agree with Paul R... DO NOT use a radiator!

It is the heat and dryness that makes the photo curl in the first place. The emulsion contracts, or tightens with heat and lack of humidity(like tightening a drum, etc) The emulsion is coated on the photo side of the paper(actually it is the photo) so when it tightens, and the paper does not, that is what causes the curling. Proper humidity is needed, like as used in a cigar humidor, for proper photo archiving(if you what to get technical, and do it properly)
Jp

[AlexAtlas]

+ 1 on NEVER using the radiator.

It will do the total opposite. Unless you are talking about the steam, if you have one of the old 100+ year ones with a steam valve. With that I have no experience, and admittedly, would try it with a worthless old pic just to see what happens. I assume nothing good!

[merdock]

Hi,
Thanks for the advice ,
Merry Christmas from the UK.
Merdock

[12thPanzer]

good advice. The tough ones are the photos that have been previously glued to an album. They usually will literally crack and leave a crease if you try to hand bend them back into shape......so the best way to do it safely is the book idea.