Help With Preserving Old Photographs, Please

[Old Mother Reilly]

Recently we have been lucky enough to have been given a selection of family photos of wildly different types, mountings, conditions and sizes.  They were all previously behind glass in wood frames: unfortunately we have had to break them out as the frames were worm-eaten and rotten.  We cannot afford to have the whole lot re-framed so what would be the best way to treat these photos which are anything up to 110 years old?

My first thought is to carefully dust them and then put them into clip-frames - this would be affordable but is it suitable?

I need some expert advice, please, so I don't cause more damage!

Thanks

Rachel

[Old Mother Reilly]

Sorry, I see that I shouldn't have posted this here.  I will put it on another board.  Apologies for my mistake.

Rachel

[nikorf579]

Hi, I would suggest getting those image scanned for preservation reasons. That way the digital files will at least stop the deterioration. You can stop the originals from deteriorating but digitizes those images will help greatly. Also try your local frame shop they might be able to use museum quality glass for damage from UV rays

[jaybelnz]

Definitely agree with nickorf579 about getting them digitally scanned!  If you have a scanner yourself, all good, but if not there are a lot of places that will do it for a fee! 

I'm sure someone on here with more knowledge than me to advise you about resolution etc. , and perhaps scanning black and white photos in colour ready for a possible future restoration.

[mike175]

For preserving the originals you could try a web search for archival photo albums, or a cheaper option might be acid free tissue to place between the photos to protect them from damage and store in a box.

Mike.