Best way to remove a print stuck to glass.

[rkmiec]

Only known copy of a print now stuck to glass in a frame. How can it be easily removed without damage to the print.

 

[Aron]

Put the glass with the paper stuck to it in a tray of water and let it soak for a long time (at least an hour, more won't hurt), then you can try to start to very slowly peel the paper off. If you feel the slightest resistance, don't pull but continue soaking.

This happened to me with unimportant prints in the past and the only time tiny pieces of emulsion got torn off was when I didn't let it soak long enough. Be patient with it.

 

[Bob-D659]

Adding a couple of drops of photoflo helps the water get between the glass and the emulsion as well.

 

[BrendanCarlson]

You could also try contact printing if you really need the shot.

 

[kevs]

Only known copy of a print now stuck to glass in a frame. How can it be easily removed without damage to the print.

Hi, I'd think twice - it might be better to leave the print stuck to the glass - trying to remove it will almost certainly damage it. If you really have to remove it, I think you should scan it at high resolution or make a good quality copy before trying anything.

You don't mention the print's vintage. Do you know whether it's on resin or fibre paper? Resin prints are a little more resilient than fibre prints. If it's pre-1980 it's more likely to be fibre - if it's pre-1900 it could be an albumen or collodion print.

Soaking the print and glass in water, as suggested by Aron, is probably the only way you'll remove a stuck print.

Good luck,
kevs

 

[removed account4]

same thing happens to me
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
warm water, photoflo seems to work
i up, and just ended scanning mine, glass and all ..
good luck !
john