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Subject: [NJHUNTER] Magnetic albums - tips for removing pictures
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 15:20:45 EST

Trying to remove pictures from magnetic albums can be a very trying
experience. Some pictures are removed quite easily because the stickem'
which was holdin' them has become unglued! Some pictures rely on more
drastic measures to be removed from the darn pages. It's like a giant magnet
has gotten hold and won't let go.

Here are a few suggestions to make removal life easier:

First, attempt to remove the pictures by gently lifting them with your
fingertip or a dull instrument. If that doesn't work, then try waxed dental
floss by carefully working the photos off the page using a "sawing" motion.
That is, back and forth. Be careful not to tear the front or back of the
photo during this process.

If these measures aren't successful, move on to another attempt at removal.
Find an old and almost dull paring knife with a thin pointed blade. Start in
the corner of the picture because you may end up bending or tearing the
picture. If it becomes necessary, you may need to crop the picture. Slide
the tip of the knife under the photo and carefully work the photo off the
page in a "sawing" motion. Similar to when you attempted the removal with
the dental floss.

When you finally remove the picture from the album, you may discover some of
the caustic adhesive will be remaining on the back of the picture. You can
attempt to scrape some of the stuff off with a sharp knife blade by gently
scraping the picture back or try and find a magic eraser. The magic erasers
are the white ones on the market--not the pink pearl or the gum erasers which
are yellow or brown. If you have some rubber cement, take a glob and roll it
into a ball in your hands. When the ball of rubber cement has set up, use it
like an eraser on the back of the photo.

Then there are occasions when there is just no way the picture wants to
unstick from the album without destroying both the picture you are trying to
remove and the old magnetic album. In this case, you must treat the pictures
as if they are memorabilia and place the picture, with the album still stuck
to the picture, into photo mounting sleeves before putting the pictures into
the new album. For your FYI, many of the magnetic pages are actually 11 x 17
folded in half to 11 x 8-1/2 and glued together. Try separating the front
and back sides of the page and then cut the photo out and put into the photo
mounting sleeves which should be acid free.

If the plastic sleeve smells (has an odor) it is acidic and no good for
protecting your pictures. In fact, they will harm your pictures just like
the photo albums you are removing the pictures from. Find ones that state
they are acid free and they won't have an odor or smell.

If the pictures are valuable to you--that is, its the only picture of grandpa
or grandma and you don't have another one like it, then you might want to
consider getting reprints made right from the album page by a professional
photographer using special machines. These pictures are probably more
valuable to all of you than the 10 pictures of the kids in the pool and you
already have the negatives.

If you have access to a computer with a scanner and high quality color
printer with high quality photographic paper, you may want to scan the
picture into the computer and use the new print in your album. Choose a high
gloss acid-free, lignin-free paper for the reprint. Word of caution, even
though this is now a new "picture," the new image should be treated as
memorabilia and put into photo mounting sleeves, particularly if the new
image will be placed on or near a page with processed photos.

If you have really difficult to remove pictures, pictures which are cracked
or crumbling with age, or are generally fragile photos, check with a photo
curator. You can probably find one through your state historical society.

Here in California, the state historical society is located in Sacramento and
they do have a photo preservation department which can advise you what is
causing the particular damage you may have and can offer advise on how to
preserve the picture you have. Some art museums may have also have curators
which would be willing to help you. In any case, if they can't help you
personally, be sure and ask them if they know of someone to whom you may go
for the expertise you need. You will probably have to spend some money to
preserve your particular picture and it may not be inexpensive, but if you
think about it, the picture of grandma and grandpa is worth the expense of
doing it right so that their memories will continue for the next generation
to enjoy and the people with whom you pass down your albums too will
appreciate the effort you make to preserve the heritage.

Christie Trapp

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