Archival Extraction

Archival Extraction: The delicate, physical process of removing historical photographs, letters, or documents from highly unstable, degrading backing pages or destructive vintage album mounts. When dealing with mid-20th-century “magnetic” albums, leaving the photos in place means exposing them to highly acidic glues that cause permanent staining and yellowing. Archival extraction involves using specialized tools—such as micro-spatulas, unflavored dental floss to saw through hardened glues, or crepe erasers to lift sticky residue—to free the original prints safely. This process permanently stops chemical degradation and allows each print to be placed flat onto a copy stand, completely unhindered by tight book bindings or warped pages, for a flawless camera scan.