PHOTO EXPERTS:Need some help with photo condition issues

[Deertick]

I have a bunch of original photos that I obtained from the photographer 40+ years ago. He worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Evening Bulletin. His name was John (Jack) Culross and most are from the mid 40's. I used to have the negatives, but I tossed them about a decade ago as they started to deteriorate.

Each photo is rolled, as he stored them in a large roll top desk that had many cubbyholes. Some are on standard glossy photo paper, others are on a heavy matte poster board type of paper. Most are oversized. Some have creases and/or tears. Only one bears a stamp with the date and newspaper name, but I'm sure some were published and these were his personal copies.

A few questions:
1) Is there any way to 'unroll' them? I asked a framer and he said no.
2) What is the best way to repair the tears so they don't get worse?
3) I have tried to identify subjects / specific events with some success. Is there a good resource to make this easier?

Below are some examples.
Thanks for any help!

[billyb]

Some good photos there, I really like the tag being applied along the third base line, check out how close the photographer is to the play.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by billyb

Some good photos there, I really like the tag being applied along the third base line, check out how close the photographer is to the play.

The hapless look of the third base coach is interesting too.

[daves_resale_shop]

Fantastic Photos Jim!

I can't say that I can offer any tips in terms of restoration, but I will say that many of these photos will matt out quite nicely...

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

Fantastic Photos Jim!

I can't say that I can offer any tips in terms of restoration, but I will say that many of these photos will matt out quite nicely...

Thanks, Dave! I know you have a lot of experience matting photos. Does the fact that these 11.25" x 14" photos are rolled up into a 2-3" tube? The guy I talked to said they had to be mounted to a cardboard backer.

Here is another copy of the tag play with photog cropped out.


And capturing some nice Pro FB action Eagles vs Steelers 11/18/45.

[prewarsports]

All you can do really is reintroduce moisture to the image and then flatten it. The problem is when the gelatin surface is already cracked, moisture will get into the crack and make it worse in those areas. If the photos were huge dollar it might be worth it, but my recommendation to you would be to buy some rigid top-loaders and they will flatten the photos for display purposes and eventually help to decrease the curling somewhat.

Rhys

[gregr2]

The tag play is great! Love the photographer right on the field.

[billyb]

Is that Cookie Lovagetto making the tag?

[DaClyde]

Originally Posted by gregr2

The tag play is great! Love the photographer right on the field.

There are some interesting shots from the 1920s where you see 3 or 4 photographers barely outside the dirt around home plate during a game. I'd love to see some kind of statistics on photographers who caught a foul ball in the teeth while crouching right beside home plate.

[Deertick]

Some info that I have found.
1) The boat is U-858. a German U boat captured off the coast of Cape May, NJ on 5/14/45
2) The "DP' is Tony Daniels (from Bitsy Mott to Vance Dinges) turning the DP against the Giants in the 6th on 7/28/45 (1st game). Billy Jurges out at 2nd, Van Mungo out at first.
3) The football game was played at Franklin Field. Penn (white) vs. ??