Photo stuck on glass

I have an old framed photo (1890s-1910s?) which has got some moisture so that the lower part of the photo has sort of glued itself to the glass (no passepartout, the photo touches the glass). If I try to pull, it tears. I suppose I could try to hold it over a kettle of boiling water and see what happens. Would that be allright or is there a better way? Fortunately the damage is limited to the lower part and is outside the subject but would still prefer not to cut.

rurikw wrote:

I have an old framed photo (1890s-1910s?) which has got some moisture so that the lower part of the photo has sort of glued itself to the glass (no passepartout, the photo touches the glass).

Stop right there. If the emulsion has truly bonded to the glass, it very well might stick with the glass if you do anything to remove the print. I'd recommend letting it stay as it is, or at least taking high-quality photos of it (to preserve the image) before trying anything.

If I try to pull, it tears. I suppose I could try to hold it over a kettle of boiling water and see what happens. Would that be allright or is there a better way? Fortunately the damage is limited to the lower part and is outside the subject but would still prefer not to cut.

My inclination would be to make an archival-quality digital scan of it as is and then digitally repair that to make the display version. However, various treatments are suggested, primarily temperature changes (heat or cold) and/or water. My fear is that, with such an old print, the emulsion may be better bonded to the glass than the paper. In fact, it's even possible the print was actually made on the glass and a plain paper backing put behind it.

Here's what the Smithsonian says about this.

ProfHankD wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I have an old framed photo (1890s-1910s?) which has got some moisture so that the lower part of the photo has sort of glued itself to the glass (no passepartout, the photo touches the glass).

Stop right there. If the emulsion has truly bonded to the glass, it very well might stick with the glass if you do anything to remove the print. I'd recommend letting it stay as it is, or at least taking high-quality photos of it (to preserve the image) before trying anything.

If I try to pull, it tears. I suppose I could try to hold it over a kettle of boiling water and see what happens. Would that be allright or is there a better way? Fortunately the damage is limited to the lower part and is outside the subject but would still prefer not to cut.

My inclination would be to make an archival-quality digital scan of it as is and then digitally repair that to make the display version. However, various treatments are suggested, primarily temperature changes (heat or cold) and/or water. My fear is that, with such an old print, the emulsion may be better bonded to the glass than the paper. In fact, it's even possible the print was actually made on the glass and a plain paper backing put behind it.

Here's what the Smithsonian says about this.

Thanks for your input. I should clarify that the photo is certainly printed on paper and most of it comes off the glass without any problem when I bend the photo. It's only the lower part that contains no subject matter that's stuck. You can see the water damage as a darker, yellowish area and a speck of mold(?) below the signature of the studio.

Right now I'm inclined to cut the main part off with a razor blade or scalpel and then experiment with getting the lower part unstuck. This just to take no risk with the photo proper. Though I imagine immersion in distilled water or suspending it in water vapour and then drying it shouldn't probably do any damage either to the photo or the retouching paint I imagine I'm seeing in some parts. But if I make a sharp cut and manage to remove the rest from the glass and rejoin the parts I'd consider it a success. The link is not working now but will try again later.

rurikw wrote:

ProfHankD wrote:

rurikw wrote:

I have an old framed photo (1890s-1910s?) which has got some moisture so that the lower part of the photo has sort of glued itself to the glass (no passepartout, the photo touches the glass).

Stop right there. If the emulsion has truly bonded to the glass, it very well might stick with the glass if you do anything to remove the print. I'd recommend letting it stay as it is, or at least taking high-quality photos of it (to preserve the image) before trying anything.

If I try to pull, it tears. I suppose I could try to hold it over a kettle of boiling water and see what happens. Would that be allright or is there a better way? Fortunately the damage is limited to the lower part and is outside the subject but would still prefer not to cut.

My inclination would be to make an archival-quality digital scan of it as is and then digitally repair that to make the display version. However, various treatments are suggested, primarily temperature changes (heat or cold) and/or water. My fear is that, with such an old print, the emulsion may be better bonded to the glass than the paper. In fact, it's even possible the print was actually made on the glass and a plain paper backing put behind it.

Here's what the Smithsonian says about this.

Thanks for your input. I should clarify that the photo is certainly printed on paper and most of it comes off the glass without any problem when I bend the photo. It's only the lower part that contains no subject matter that's stuck. You can see the water damage as a darker, yellowish area and a speck of mold(?) below the signature of the studio.

Right now I'm inclined to cut the main part off with a razor blade or scalpel and then experiment with getting the lower part unstuck. This just to take no risk with the photo proper. Though I imagine immersion in distilled water or suspending it in water vapour and then drying it shouldn't probably do any damage either to the photo or the retouching paint I imagine I'm seeing in some parts. But if I make a sharp cut and manage to remove the rest from the glass and rejoin the parts I'd consider it a success. The link is not working now but will try again later.

Some old emulsions will not handle water well.

The dominant suggestion is:

1. Make an archival capture of it before doing anything.

2. Try sticking it in a freezer for a while. If you're lucky, it will naturally release as the expansion/contraction coefficient for the glass differs from that of the emulsion.

I personally have never done that. I've had a lot of old slides mounted in glass that bonded to them, and my solution has always been to make an archival scan and leave the original untouched....

I would agree with Hank. Rent a Gfx 100 with 120 mm and take 400 MP archival shots before risking the original.

Ed

Thanks. Trying a better reproduction before doing anything else is certainly good advice. The posted scan is from a flatbed scanner and blurred by the thickness of the glass. It's some kind of matte glass. Good or bad, not sure. Need to clean it first. Instead of renting anything I'll stitch a few shots from my gx7.

Sounds good. I would be very worried about doing something irreparable before having a good archive copy.