Tintype Advice

I found a couple of tintypes in an old lap desk I recently purchased. I have no information on them. There was a fountain pen also in the box that dates back to 1846.

Both photos have some dirt / residue on them and I’d like to clean them up. Is there a method of wiping them / cleaning them that would not be dangerous to them ?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Jim

I will give you what limited information I have found with the proviso it is copied from a book and not based on my personal experience;

Use at your own risk!


The only real practical advice I could find in my book collection came from The "Keepers of Light: A History & Working Guide to Early Photographic Processes" by William Crawford, Morgan & Morgan Publishers IBSN 0-87100-158-6

Page 296 to 297, under "Collodion Images":

"About all one can do with a collodion image is clean it gently with a Photo-Flo or Alconox solution ("Alconox" is apparently a detergent; found it with a google search) made with distilled water and then flush it with distilled water. Even this treatment can be risky. Test a corner of the image first..."

"If a Tintype shows rust, do not wash it. Bear in mind that collodion images can be fragile, and sometimes even a light wiping with a cotton swab can damage them."

That's the extent of what I can offer. Hope it helps.

Alconox reference: http://cleanroommart.com/alconox.aspx

NOTE: Unsecure web page; not HTTPS.