Removing adhesive transfer tape

I have been asked to remove a collection of photographs from their
mats in order to scan them and to replace old acidic matboard and
backing with archival materials. I find that the photos have been
adhered to the backs of the mats with adhesive transfer tape, and
can't be removed mechanically without tearing them. Does anyone have
a recommendation for a method to dissolve or at least soften this
stuff so I can remove the photos safely? They are standard black and
white photographs.

Anne T Lane
Collections Manager
The Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Drive
Charlotte NC 28215
704-568-1774, ext 110
Fax: 704-566-1817


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:9
                   Distributed: Sunday, July 18, 2010
                        Message Id: cdl-24-9-017
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