Safely Removing Adhesive Label Tape from a Tintype Photo

I have a tintype photo with an adhesive Dymo label (the old plastic adhesive label tape) stuck to it. What is the best way to remove the label? Thanks, Kent

I am guessing that your label is stuck to the image side of your tintype. This is particularly problematic since any sort of treatment will most likely involve solvents that could harm the surface of the photo if you are not knowledgeable of the solvents and how they could interact with the image. I do not recommend you trying to remove the label yourself as it could cause permanent damage to the image.

The best way to remove it is to contact the helpful staff at the Ford Conservation Center right there in Omaha. They will be able to determine the best course of action for you which would most likely be to have them do the treatment.

If you cannot afford the conservation treatment, the best thing to do would be to leave the label in place as in the long run it would cause less damage then if you tried to remove it yourself.