Marielle,

Newspapers have what conservators call "inherent vice."  They are made from
highly acidic wood pulp. The yellowing and embrittlement are caused by the
acid. They literally destroy themselves from the inside. There's nothing you
can do to truly preserve newspapers. You can keep them out of the light, in
a box, etc, but in a few years they will just powder into dust. So copy
soon. Box them up. If you can isolate them from the rest of your collection,
especially from the textiles, do so. Then bid them good-bye.

Michelle


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Marielle Fortier
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 1:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: newspapers?

Ware, I am a bit confused by your advice.  Even if stored in the right kind 
of box, would the newspapers still prove to be such a threat?  I would agree

to copy them onto acid-free paper, but totally getting rid of them doesn't 
seem logical to me.  If an object in a museum was a danger to the other 
collections wouldn't isolation seem more fitting?  As a registrar I try to 
not throw out much.  I learned from my mentors to always keep your "paper 
trail" so others can follow it.  How do others feel about this?

Marielle



**********************
Marielle Fortier
Museum Registrar
Vermont
**********************




>From: Ware Petznick <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: newspapers?
>Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:25:43 -0500
>
>Dear Nancy
>
>Whilst the content of the newspapers is golden, the newspapers
>themselves are a severe threat to your archives or collections storage.
>Their acidity will offgas and threaten the integrity of anything it
>touches over time.
>
>My best advice is to try to scan or photocopy on acid-free paper the
>important parts and then get rid of them!
>
>Good luck!
>Ware
>
>
>L.W.S. Petznick, Ph.D.
>McFaddin-Ward House
>Curator of Collections
>725 Third St.
>Beaumont, TX 77701
>[log in to unmask]
>www.mcfaddin-ward.org
>409.832.1906 p
>409.832.3483 f
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf Of Nancy Reddy
>Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 10:33 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: newspapers?
>
>A donation of newspapers from the city closest to our town was dropped
>off at our small history museum. Most of them are badly yellowed and
>crumbling but a few are in good condition. Many deal with WWII or
>Kennedy's assassination; some date as far back as the '30. I can see
>that
>I might use a couple of them in future exhibits but the bulk of them I
>have no need for and no space to store. I will check, but I am almost
>sure the donor will not want them back.
>
>Are these of any value? Should I bother calling around to find them a
>new
>home? And, for the few that I plan to keep, how should they be stored?
>Are there containers/tissues specifically designed for newsprint?
>
>Thanks for your help,
>Nancy Reddy
>Berkshire History Museum
>
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