posted on November 7, 2008 12:27:25 PM new
Hi,
I just got an album with real photo postcards from Alaska - some really great old photos probably from the 30's. I am wondering if it would be better to sell it as an album or to try to take the post cards out (they are pasted onto the black scrapbook pages.) If so, does anyone have any advise or methods that I could use to get the cards out without damaging them? Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jane
posted on November 7, 2008 01:15:28 PM new
IMHO, you'd get more for them individually. You could try putting them in the freezer first before trying to remove them. You can also try soaking them in distilled water {{shudder}} something I've never had the gumption to try but is explained well in this great eBay guide:
posted on November 7, 2008 01:27:32 PM new
Hi Jane,
Whoaboy! Without a doubt, taking any sort of ephemra off of those black paper photo albums has to be one of the most heartbreaking tasks I've ever dealt with as a postcard and Disneyland memorabilia collector.
The most effective method (and it still didn't work perfectly) I've used is a hairdryer. It loosened the glue enough for me to remove postcards or pictures, IN A VERY GENTLE FASHION, away from the pages, but there was always a little residue left over.
I always hear that steaming is the best method, but not one I'm willing to try, or would suggest to somebody who hasn't done it previously, as you can quickly/easily damage whatever you're trying to remove.
I was fortunate once to find a scrapbook (with those confounded black pages) full of Disneyland ephemra from 1957. Nothing was coming away from those pages, but it was all displayed and organized so nicely, I didn't care. However, the binder it was housed in was attrocious, so I removed the pages, punched holes in them,and transfered them to a much more appealing binder. My point is, if you're keeping them for yourself, you may just want to leave it as is, or make some minor changes that won't damage the postcards. Heck, even if you're looking to sell it, some buyers wouldn't mind that the postcards are stuck to the pages, as long as the total package looks good.
I'd very much like to see the other suggestions that members make here,as this particular situation has always been a tough one for me too.
posted on November 7, 2008 01:51:31 PM new
Pull the postcards off the pages carefully - if you have to, leave the black paper on the back rather than destroy the back by ripping the paper off. I have had some luck getting black album paper off of REAL PHOTO postcards(don't try this with printed postcards) by drizzling a LITTLE water on the back, letting it set in for a few minutes to soften paper and then, with the edge of a knife (exacto knife would probably be best), coax the black paper off slowly. I just worked on a small area at a time. When you are done, let the card dry and then weight it down with books for a day or two to straighten it out. A dealer I know swears you can actually soak the card in water (won't destroy the photo) and the paper will peel off. I tried it once but the ink on the back stained the image on the face. I sell cards with remnant album paper on the back all the time so you may just want to leave the paper on.
If the postcards are historical in nature (ie related in some way) it's a shame to break up the collection but probably more profitable to do so. You have to wrestle with that one. If they aren't related, I would definitely sell one by one and then put together a lot of the ones that don't sell or are less interesting.
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posted on November 7, 2008 02:04:19 PM new
Hairdryer heat has worked for me. I aimed the hairdryer at the BACK of the page (turn the page with the photos over).
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