Curled up photographs

Factual Questions
1

I have a box full of B&W photographs from the 1940s that are now curled up. Is there a safe way to permanently uncurl them?

2

Maybe lay them flat between some heavier paper (plain, so nothing will rub off) and then put something heavy like a box of books on top and leave them awhile?

3

See a photo restoration service - I could guess (re-soak in glycerin bath, run through print dryer), but without knowing what kind of emulsion you have (let alone how to handle it), I will refer you to folks who do.

If these are photos you will want to keep for years and/or distribute, take them to a photog who can reproduce them (or get a copy stand, polarizing filter, macro lens, and body and do it yourself)

WARNINGS:

  1. Wet emulsion is very soft - your fingernails will remove it. Do not play with wet emulsion unless you are prepared to throw away the print.

  2. Old emulsions can crack easily - pressing the pics may damage them.

4

You could also take them to an upscale framing shop, or a conservator, to see about different methods of mounting they will have. There may be something you can do. My recommendation (as a framer) would be to make a digital copy of the images for your own use, then have the originals restored, sealed up in a proper manner (such as in mylar) and stored in a dark place with low humidity. Try to avoid mashing them against each other or against glass, because the moisture in the air can cause them to stick and once adhered to glass they will likely be unsalvageable (sp?).