To Restore or Not Restore ??
 

I bought this 11x14 Photo / poster a couple years ago from a board member and have always liked it. Started a wall with my 1905 W601's of the Giants and A's and this from 1913 would look great next to them if it was cleaned up. My question is given the costs of conservation and restoration is this a reasonable candidate? Over the years I have collected mostly cards and this is just out of my wheelhouse so would welcome feedback from Photo collectors.
Thanks Jonathan

Restore?
 

IMHO, no...it's just stains, not major paper loss, etc...it still presents well.

that's my opinion, it's NOT my photo...I have numerous photos with similar "damage", but they still look good (to me, that is) as is; again, that's JMO.

another example: a CJ Cobb w/ stains that still presents well would lose tremendous value / integrity of the card, as issued, but it's still a highly sought after CJ Cobb.

it's your collection, and IF it works for YOU and future resale value isn't a concern, I say go for it!

once again, JMO


DS
.

To me it looks great as is. I would be really happy to matte, frame and display is exactly as it is.

But like anything else, only you can decide if the cost of removing/diminishing the stain is worth it to you.

Just be careful with it.

Jonathan I think it looks great and don't mess with it. Todd, that's the perfect Christmas gift to give which doesn't break the bank!

Yes as a couple fans of Christmas story have noticed it is of Italian extraction.

Do not restore it!
 

Sir,

I know that you want old to become ANEW again but please do not restore it.

You will be throwing away our past if you restore it. I have seen other photos like this from that era and they seem to have all come from the same collection that a family was holding on to before the dad passed. They are trying now to buy back all of his collection because it appears to have held some type of clues. Clues to the history of baseball puzzle.

Sorry, just one man on an islands opinion!

Take care Charlie

It's a major award!!

Looks awesome just like that

Aaah! "Fra-GEE-lay!" It must be Italian!

Perhaps first you should talk to a restorer and ascertain what he/she would be able to do to it and at what cost to the original piece. If that stain could be removed nearly entirely without much of an effect to your poster, it may be worth it. Sorta like soaking a baseball card? Getting more information and insight will allow you to make the right decision.

I actually like the stain on it. I know that you might not find it aesthetically pleasing, but to me, it adds character. I think if you found the right antique frame for it and had it professional done, it would look incredible.

I almost always preach not to restore.....but on the poster, for me, I am not so sure. There are several factors to consider. What is the value of the poster in as-is condition vs preservation and/or restoring (2 different things)? Sometimes restoring can greatly diminish value. However, for a poster which isn't too valuable, and would display nicer without the stain, I would consider it. If I have piece that is made to be displayed I would always, at least, consider it. My Horner Composite has a tiny, tiny bit of restoration...probably less than 2 inches on the entire piece.....while I am not the one who had it done I would do it again if it were left to me. It was also deacidified and lightly cleaned for preservation (*by Graphic Conservation in Chicago)......
It comes down to what looks better to the owner when viewing it, if the value is the same. I would strongly consider getting the stain out if it were mine (and after I determined it wouldn't hurt value).

like leon i tend to be conservative...but id restore this...i think it'd be relatively easy and would greatly improve esthetic value as well as $$$$.

If after speaking to a restorer he/she says it can be cleaned thoroughly fairly easily I'd restore it.