Photograph stuck to the glass

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Gesso&Bole
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Photograph stuck to the glass

Post by Gesso&Bole »

Has anyone had experience of a paper conservator who can deal with this? (My normal one doesn't).The photograph is slightly faded, and got some ripples from being badly mounted (strip of masking tape all along top edge), but the real issue is a small area (approx 8mm diameter) in the middle where the photograph has stuck firmly to the glass. (in the attached close up it is a slightly blueish area just above the back of the microphone stand).

It's an iconic image, signed by John Lennon. Not sure what value this would have, but certainly worth looking after!
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Jeremy (Jim) Anderson
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prospero
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Re: Photograph stuck to the glass

Post by prospero »

As far as I know there are no magic ways of getting it off the glass without damage. And photos
damaged in that way are practically impossible to 'repair'.

Two options:

Get a new photo.

Take a photo/scan of it and retouch digitally and print another.

Lame answer but that's just how it is. :cry:

Unless someone knows different....
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Gesso&Bole
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Re: Photograph stuck to the glass

Post by Gesso&Bole »

Sadly that's what I thought - just hoping someone out there knows better . . . .
Jeremy (Jim) Anderson
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Re: Photograph stuck to the glass

Post by vintage frames »

I agree with what Prospero said, and see if you can scan and replace the photo.

But you are still left with the original which is still attached to the glass.

From the little I know, the surface of most earlier photographic prints was a coating of silver based compounds held in a gelatin type medium.

Gelatin will soften with heat, so one thing to try would be to heat the bowl of a teaspoon and rub it gently around the stuck area on the rear of the photo.
I'd use a small gas blowlamp to heat the spoon.
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