Glass plates stuck together

[Harry Kalish]

[B][FONT="Georgia"]I'm a new member, but an old photographer/print-maker.

My GRANDFATHER took pictures - on glass plates - around old New York City
and when I inherited them, I planned to keep them safe and print them some day. Unfortunately, my basement flooded several years ago and the glass negatives - that were not separated - stuck together.

I would be very grateful if someone would suggest a way of separating these
plates with minimal damage to the emulsions.

Harry Kalish

[Fluffbutt]

I found this on another forum, it may help:

"Take distilled water and photo-flo and soak the negs for a few minutes
till they loosen.

After you separate all of the negs rinse them in cold running water
for 10-15 minutes and hang in a dust free room to dry."

This probably apllies to film neg, but it might help for the plates.

I'd suggest you ring or write to an archival museum (Usa has a few - mainly in Cap Cities).

[Harry Kalish]

Originally Posted by Fluffbutt

I found this on another forum, it may help:

"Take distilled water and photo-flo and soak the negs for a few minutes
till they loosen.

After you separate all of the negs rinse them in cold running water
for 10-15 minutes and hang in a dust free room to dry."

This probably apllies to film neg, but it might help for the plates.

I'd suggest you ring or write to an archival museum (Usa has a few - mainly in Cap Cities).

Dear Fluffbutt,

Thank you very much for the reply - it sounds good and I will try it. Harry

[Harry Kalish]

Dear Fluffbutt,

Thank you very much for the reply - it sounds good and I will try it. Harry

[Fluffbutt]

Just don't touch the neg surface after it's wet.

If you find the neg seperates and one plate has two layers (pic one and part of pic 2), you can TRY sliding a long sharp knife in between the damages layer bits and 'folding' it back to where it should be. If you soak it well, it shouln't happen though.