[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Need help cleaning backs of old photo's

[Greg Mason]

Janine:  I have had success with  using naptha.  This sounds dangerous  
and it could be, but use it sparingly, apply it to the baking paper  
only with a q-tip or such and ALWAYS try a very small test spot in a  
corner to insure that it won't affect the photo paper.  I have never  
had a ruined photo from using this material.  Generally, the naptha  
will loosen the glue enough for you to be able to carefully remove it  
from the back of the photo.  Be careful not to soak the photo paper,  
only the album backing paper.   You probably will have to go to a  
pharmacy or chemical shop to obtain high grade naptha.  Best wishes.  
Greg Mason
On Mar 26, 2009, at 4:59 PM, jankohl57 at aol.com wrote:

> Looking for any suggestions on how to safely clean the backs of old  
> photo's from ca. 1910.? They were at one time glued into a photo  
> album with black pages.? I can get some of the black paper off, but  
> some of it is really adheared to the glue.? I'm desperate to see  
> what the writing says underneath!. I can actually see through the  
> glue and make out letters, so it is more a matter of getting the  
> black paper off without taking some of the ink beneath.? Is there  
> some gentle way of removing the paper without going through to the  
> other side of the photo?? Thanks so much...Janine
>
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