Posted By:
DavidFor peace of mind-- lithographic ink itself (ala T206, Goudey, Topps) does not disolve in water. As part of my work, I test printing inks, and it takes specific (and smelly) chemicals to disolve particular printing inks from paper.
While others may be more adventerous than I, as they begin to bring that pot to boil on the kitchen stove and wearing the apron that says 'King of the Roast', I reiterate that I have only tried to remove paper with water from inexpensive cards in rough condition where the paper on the back was a significant problem. I also ruined a 1920 photograph duing this.
With all the lawyers watching, I figured a disclaimer was due. And as Hal is a personal injury lawer, I point out that you should not remove the cards from the vat of boiling water with your teeth or, when finished, eat the leftever album paper. And all my money's in my wife's name.