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Scanning very old letter circa 1876

brambles

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 6:02PM

I have a very old Family letter that has come into my possession and I can just about discern the writing. What I would like to know, if anyone has the answer, is how to enhance it in Photoshop after scanning.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I could just about read it and reproduce in Word but I am anxious to retain the authenticity of an historical hand written letter.

Brambles

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Nontek

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 6:06PM

Before trying to enhance it in Photoshop, make a Copy to practice on.

You may be able to make it more legible using just the Scanner software.

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thegreypanther

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 6:12PM

I have found that very old documents can be made surprisingly legible by simply whacking up the contrast in Photoshop (). There are many examples of documents in the First World War Soldiers records, - see Ancestry.co.uk, which have been damaged and become very difficult to make out. On several occasions I have been able to recover illegible details simply by massively boosting the contrast on the scanned document.

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Forum Editor

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 6:56PM

Try emnic's suggestion. The same method has worked for me on more than one occasion.

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Les28

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 8:53PM

Maybe just Auto Levels and Unsharp Filter?

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This is specifically ideas for enhancing a scan of faded handwritten notes

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brambles

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Posted April 1, 2012 at 11:57PM

Thank you everyone I now know how to deal with the old letter. I do appreciate the prompt and courteous response from you all.

Brambles

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