Stuck down print - how to remove

[bexwell]

I have an 1824 hand coloured engraving which was produced in London but framed probably in the 60s or 70s by a Framers Gallery in Oakland, California. The print had been stuck down onto grey card backing with a very foxed mount stuck over it, although the glue seemed to ease with water I was worried that if I wet the print too much the colours would run or the print stain. In the end I managed to pry the whole thing apart but there is still thin grey bits of the card stuck on the back. Once reframed it will look ok but I feel I made a bit of a mess of it, any advice for next time?

[Spit]

Once reframed it will look ok but I feel I made a bit of a mess of it, any advice for next time?

Don't make promises you can't keep!

Seriously, that kind of job is a nightmare, you don't know what its stuck down with - chances are it's not nice! If you don't have a paper conservator nearby, sometimes it is better to refuse the job.

[fineedge]

I am not sure if I would have risked taking it off. After 40 yrs whatever damage was going to be done has been done already. Wetting with water can leave stains. I once had old etches from France which had damp stains on and found out from a museum in town about a restorer who is able to submerse the whole print in some solution that does not damage the print but cleans the paper. Never got to doing it because the customer did not want to cover the expense so I don't know details about the process.

[Roboframer]

although the glue seemed to ease with water I was worried that if I wet the print too much the colours would run or the print stain. In the end I managed to pry the whole thing apart but there is still thin grey bits of the card stuck on the back.

You are very brave or ........

[iantheframer]

Hi Bexwell

Sounds like you may need a little help. Try talking to a qualified conservator. The link below will help you to find one in your area

http://www.conservationregister.com/index.asp

Ian

[bexwell]

You are very brave or ........ either lucky or foolish probably fits! I agree I should have left well alone, although once started not much option.

[osgood]

Bexwell,
This is a mistake made by many of us in our early days as framers. We need to keep in mind exactly what we are - 'Framers". Not paper or art conservators, not brain surgeons, etc, etc.