How to Remove Baseball Cards Glued in an Album

Baseball card collectors may purchase highly valued cards at garage sales, thrift stores or in online auctions that come glued in scrapbooks or albums. Original owners of childhood baseball cards may also be dismayed at having naively glued down baseball cards into a collection book when young. Because collectors want unaltered cards unfettered for back viewing, it becomes imperative to dislodge cards before the sale. Luckily, with a few easy steps, owners can release baseball cards from an album without incurring damage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baseball cards in an album
• Letter opener
• Adhesive remover
• Microfiber cloth
• Paper towel

1. Spread 1 hand on the album page to increase leverage and eliminate tearing or curling of the scrapbook or album. Pull gingerly at the corners of the card to loosen it without forcing the card from the page.

2. Hold the letter opener horizontally, and slide it under the loosest portion of the baseball card's outer edge. Move the letter opener in a slow, circular motion while lightly pulling the baseball card away from the album page. Move the letter opener closer to the center of the baseball card's underside gently, once you have loosened the next outer area. Remove the baseball card from the album page once the underside is freed from the page.

3. Apply a dab of adhesive remover, such as Goo Gone, to a folded paper towel. Clean the adhesive from the card. Press the baseball card face down on a clean surface, and hold it in place with 1 hand. Rub the paper towel in slow circles against the card's sticky surface, applying light pressure until the adhesive is fully removed. Wipe the baseball card down with a soft, microfiber cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Always thoroughly wash and dry your hands before handling vintage baseball cards.
• Never pull, tear at or force the baseball card away from the page, as torn cards severely decrease in value.

References

• Argonne National Laboratory Ask a Scientist: Removing Glue