Opinions Wanted Old Photo Restoration

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CB Art & Framing

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Feb 20, 2007
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Customer has an old album with photos and hand written notes.
My customer was just given this album from a family member but doesn't know the history of when exactly album was created. Some photos are dated 1949, but from pics (see attached) it appears to me album was done later.
Pictures are in decent shape, but customer says album is deteriorating.
She want to preserve.
I suggested scanning and digitizing.
My main question is, once scanned, is it worth trying to remove the items from album pages and storing, to prevent further damage
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I would definitely scan the photos and then if one is easy to remove from the backing, my guess is sitting it in water overnight will totally remove both the black paper and what was probably mucilage glue. Photos from that era were processed with water so water will not hurt them. The ink may or may not depart (which is where the scanning comes in handy).

I usually suggest using mylar corners to arrange them onto acid free card stock and then place them into poly sheet protectors and a three ring binder for a safe way to store and display them.

The black paper used for those old albums is about as sturdy as the black kraft paper some framers use on the backs of their frames. Once it starts to deteriorate it falls apart very quickly.
 
Framar, thanks so much for suggestions, that's what I will do.
I'm waiting to see the album in person.
Is the black paper from that era acidic, damaging?
 
The black paper is definitely bad for photos, and it will become more fragile as time progresses. Ever take apart a frame from that era with black paper on the back? Turns to dust it does. Awful stuff.
 
Just an addition to Framar's answer - I would suggest using distilled water if you soak the pages, or at least a final "rinse" of the photos in distilled water after they're off the black paper. This will be sure to leave no water or mineral spots on the prints when they dry.
 
I used to have my own darkroom for black and white photos and never bothered with distilled water. If there is a concern about water spots on the prints add a few drops of Photoflo to the last rinse. You can buy it from any photography supply place.
 
Framar said:
I used to have my own darkroom for black and white photos and never bothered with distilled water. If there is a concern about water spots on the prints add a few drops of Photoflo to the last rinse. You can buy it from any photography supply place.
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Buying a bottle of Photoflo (just to use a few drops) is going to cost more than just using distilled water, and distilled water has the added benefit of being pure - that is, not subjecting the prints to the chlorine, fluoride, minerals and other impurities found in tap water.
 
Soaking away the black paper is going to be more work than scanning.

If the customer deems it necessary I would charge an hourly shop rate.

If any photo has a bend, crack or fracture in the emulsion the water will seep in and separate the emulsion from the paper.

I might suggest buying a box of 100 envelopes and just neatly trim the photos out leaving the black on. This solves the issue of the black paper of one page resting on the emulsion of the prints behind it.

The original notes are precious so take care of them.
 
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