When do you clean a photo? (With an example)

[hcv123]

Just wanted to appreciate what an amazing photo that is!! Wow!!

[Jobu]

Thanks Howard!

[cfhofer]

Leave the photo alone. Spend the money instead on a nice frame with UV protection and acid-free matte. Nice piece!

[drcy]

You could look into getting it professionally cleaned and conserved. I don't know the price, but it would be worth looking into for your photo.

I'm not a condition freak and am ordinarily for leaving items as is, but this is an exception-- if that's what you want to do. There's nothing unethical about restoration-- and it can be a good thing if the item is falling apart of deteriorating--, so long as the restoration is disclosed at sale.

I wrote a short piece on the issues and ethics of restoration at the end of this SABR post

[irv]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Just wanted to appreciate what an amazing photo that is!! Wow!!

X2. Incredible picture of a very young Mickey Mantle!

Who wouldn't love to own that!

[conor912]

I would have it cleaned, but not restored. But I also agree with Mark that this piece should be in a frame, if for no other reason than to protect it. It's super cool, even without the auto. At the end of the day, it all depends on what it's worth to you to preserve it. What size is it?

[Jobu]

Thank you all for the feedback.

The photo is 21" x 8", so it is pretty big.

I generally like things to be original but think the smudges really detract from it and I worry that whatever that substance is will not be good for the photo or the autographs going forward. Beyond that I would stabilize it and leave the rest of the condition as it is - I like that it shows that it was owned by a kid on the team. I am a bit on the fence about even leaving the dirt for that same reason but just can't decide which is the correct way to go. If I find out that it will be $1200 to have it cleaned that will big a big factor too