Uncurling old prints

Tobywan

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Messages
27
Format
Multi Format
I have a box full of old prints(some are 100 years old) that have been rolled up for a long time. They appear to be photos of large groups of people and printed on a heavyweight, cream colored paper. Most are 8”x16” or longer and were rolled tightly.
does anyone know of a way to unroll them without damage. They are from a small historical society I volunteer at and I would like to mount them for display.
 

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
23,495
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Unroll them and place them under a heavy weight for a couple of weeks. Odds are they'll stay a little flatter after that, allowing them to be framed for display.
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,956
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
koraks said:
Unroll them and place them under a heavy weight for a couple of weeks. Odds are they'll stay a little flatter after that, allowing them to be framed for display.
Click to expand...

No, the emulsion will likely crack from being dried out.
 

Ian C

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
1,260
Format
Large Format
You could safely relax them by putting them into a closet with an room humidifier or vaporizer for few hours or even overnight. Repeat as necessary until they are relaxed enough to be flattened under a weighted sheet of plywood. Cover the prints with a sheet of clean foamcore or mat board to prevent the rough surface of the plywood from contacting the prints.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,411
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
George Collier said:
Ditto on the moisture advice, however you do it, to relax the emulsion, as stated above.
Click to expand...

Put them in the bathroom and run the shower, make the room foggy, bring in the photographs, close the door. Repeat several times.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,274
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
If there is a museum that you can engage with, they may very well have a conservation department that can help you with advice.
The Vancouver Archives are the local resource that I would contact - they conserve Circut photos that have spent decades curled into tubes!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…