Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 11-18-2008 04:27 PM               

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I'm curious about people's opinions as to whether - and how - to repair tears in photos or charts. I imagine that the slight edge tear (1/2 inch or less) that does not intrude into the picture area of an item can be left as is. But what about a 2-inch tear that goes into the picture area? Should that be left alone, or should it be repaired, if for no other reason than to keep it from tearing farther?

I have some sketches done early in the 20th century by my great-great-uncle. One of them was nearly torn in half when I got it. I was referred to a conservator at the Library of Congress, who was able to work some magic with buffered paper backing and then encasing the sketch in a plastic envelope.

Have any of you had this kind of work done with your autographed photos or lithos? For example, would one try to have a tear repaired on an otherwise good Armstrong WSS, or just leave it as is? {no, I don't have one, it's just a hypothetical example}

Posts: 85
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Nov 2008

posted 11-18-2008 05:47 PM            

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As someone who has watched Antique Roadshow many times on PBS I have learned that an amateur should never attempt to repair an item that has any value. If an item has considerable value, such as the item that you mentioned, it MAY be appropriate to have a professional restorer work on it. Even torn paintings can be restored by a professional for a fee.

If for instance, you have an autographed Neil Armstrong photo that is torn in an area away from the autograph, you can either contact a restorer or frame the photo under glass and have a future buyer decide whether to restore it. I mention Neil Armstrong becaue his autographs have considerable value if they are genuine.

When would I personally work on defects in an item? Rarely - and only after practicing on similar material. Many of the space items that I sell on eBay have value only to a collector. If there is some way that I can safely repair an item, I will do it. But I would never touch an item that has any real value.