Vintage Photo Purchase

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Posted By: runscott

Personally, I agree with your decision to locate an expert; however, if you decide to do it on your own:

1)Find a crappy photo with scrapbook residue to practice on.
2)Pour some luke-warm water in a bowl and gram a dishcloth (something with some texture, but not as rough as terry cloth).
3)Dab the cloth in the water and then dab at the residue near the edges of the residue, soaking it completely but avoiding "extra" soaking. Occasionally rub at the edges to see the effect it is having on the photo paper beneath.

I have done the above and it worked fine - took the residue right off the back of a Babe Ruth photo, and also off the back of one of those "real photo" silver gel Cuban cards from the 1910's. The big danger you run is if you get some water on the table and the front of the photo comes in contact with it - then you can kiss the whole project goodbye, curse my name, and promise not to beat me when we meet at the National this year.