What is the

arch staunton

Best way to store old newspapers to prevent any damage .Thank you

CeannRua

Questions - how old are the newspapers?
What do you mean by 'damage'?

arch staunton

CeannRua wrote: »

Questions - how old are the newspapers?
What do you mean by 'damage'?

I collect old newspapers with big news headlines.
oldest i have are from the 20s edges are a bit frayed and some stains .
other papeers i have would be very good condition, also some old news papers i have ,have staples which are a bit rusty

I suppose my question should have been how to prevent any further damage

Thank you

CeannRua

You're okay... just answer varies depending on a few things. More modern newspapers (from later 19th century on) are printed on poor quality paper. The yellowing effect is caused by acid in the paper. You can't stop it as the disintegration is from within but you can slow it down by keeping them out of light... Treatment is deacidification by conservator but it will cost you so depends how serious you are about them. This link explains more: http://www.mnhs.org/about/publications/techtalk/TechTalkMarch1997.pdf
You'll get loads of other advice on the web but it will all be similar.

If you also have older newspapers they might be made of better quality paper so it's a good idea to keep them separately. Paper should be as flat as possible so unfold the papers; remove the staples; definitely don't use Sellotape to repair as within 10-15 years the adhesive will have failed and you'll be left with more staining; don't laminate either. You could use plastic crate of some kind to store them. You can also buy folders and boxes from specialist conservation suppliers.

MasterSun

laminate them

CeannRua

MasterSun wrote: »

laminate them

Lamination is a bad, bad idea:
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/archives/preservation/Encapsulation/index.cfm