I don't know if our resident Speaker to Conservators has already 
addressed this:

Either talk to the folks at the Northeast Document Conservation 
Center in Andover, MA, the folks at Solinet (Sothern Library 
Network), or go to the AIC Web site and find a photograph conservator 
to talk to.

At most what you will be able to do is lift the the plastic of the 
tape off using a microspatula. It will still leave the crystallized 
adhesive bits on the photograph. Loose bits could be brushed away. 
But any others will have to be removed by solvents. If they can be 
removed at all. This is why you need a knowledgeable photograph 
conservator who knows what can and cannot be safely used on the 
surface.

For crumbling edges, perhaps the classic wheat paste and japanese 
paper backing to support those edges, since you've done some paper 
conservation.

---Amy West
-------------------

Date:    Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:50:42 -0500
From:    Sue Fischer <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: photo conservation help
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Hi list,

I have a 1923 photo that needs some help.  The owner put Scotch tape 
on the face to try to repair some cracks in the emulsion.  The tape 
has now turned yellow and brittle and is starting to come off in 
places.  Is it possible to remove the rest of the tape safely, and is 
there any way to get the tape residue off of the photo?  Any 
suggestions for the crumbling edges?  I've don paper conservation, 
but am new at photos.

Thanks a lot!

Suzanne Fischer
Curator of Material Culture
Louisiana State Museum
P.O. Box 2448
New Orleans, LA  70176
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

504-568-5459 office
504-599-1950 fax

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