Write on back of pictures?

[Snapolit1]

Yeah, why? Put a removable label on the back and scribble on that.

[ramram]

Might want to add a date that you made the identification. It can also be a problem if somebody is identified incorrectly.

Rob M

[frankbmd]

If more folks wrote names in pencil, we wouldn't need ears.

[Runscott]

I like the idea of a removable sticker. When I re-seal a dag or ambrotype I describe what I find (hallmarks, etc) on the sealing tape, along with my name and the date sealed. Anything more than that gets written on a piece of paper and placed behind the sealed image. It would be good to have something similar for prints as they can get separated from documentation.

[Michael B]

I see no problem with writing in pencil on the back. I do it all the time. It is helpful with press photos that have a caption sheet as it can be upside down or when it is folded over you only see the blank side. Stickers or Post-its are not a good idea on older photos. The adhesive is not archival and older photo paper is porous. Putting a piece of paper in an archival sleeve behind the image is not bad, however the paper can still react with the image.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Putting a piece of paper in an archival sleeve behind the image is not bad, however the paper can still react with the image.

I've never heard of this - please show an example. Thanks

[drcy]

I will add by saying that, as a photo historian, a problem is that there all these non-sport tintypes, cabinet cards etc around where the identities are lost in time, and it would have been great service if people had noted the details on them.

People often come to me with a tintype and ask how they can find out who is the person in the image, and I respond that they more than probably will never be able to know.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I've never heard of this - please show an example. Thanks

Scott,

I should have been clearer on this. It will affect the back, not the front on glossy photos. You may see it on press photos as an example. Non archival paper could affect fibre prints as they are not glossy, but I would not expect anyone to purposely place a piece of paper on the front of a photo not matter the finish.