Hi Everyone, This came acrossed another list I am on and thought it might help someone. Cathy > > >FIDGET PRESENTS: Ask Anne and Nan > >By Anne B. Adams and Nancy Nash-Cummings > >February 7, 2001 > > > >f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f * f > > > > > >OLD PAPERS YELLOW WITH TIME > > > >DEAR ANNE AND NAN: Over my lifetime of 92 years, I have > >collected newspaper articles, letters, books and magazines, > >some over 100 years old. In general, they are yellowing and > >becoming more fragile as time goes on. I would like to save > >them for my family, if possible. Is there anything I can do > >to preserve them and prevent further deterioration? -- LYLE > >HEDRICK, Gardnerville, Nev. > > > >DEAR LYLE: In regard to your newspaper articles and letters, > >we recommend you take them to a copier center, which will be > >able to duplicate them on their machines. Please specify > >that you want them to use acid-free paper when copying. You > >can then store both the original articles and letters, along > >with their copies, in Mylar sheet pockets or acid-free album > >pages. > > > >The yellowing occurs because of acid used in paper > >manufacture. There is a new product on the market called > >"Bookkeeper Deacidification Spray" which uses magnesium > >oxide to neutralize the acid. The magnesium oxide becomes > >firmly fixed in the cellulose fibers and on the paper's > >surface, and it is a permanent process, leaving an alkaline > >reserve in the paper. > > > >There are a number of options you can choose from for > >preserving larger objects such as books and magazines. We > >think your best bet is to order a catalog from the Gaylord > >Archival Storage Materials and Conservation Supplies (P.O. > >Box 4901, Syracuse, NY 13221-4901; 800-448-6160). The > >catalog is free and is filled with technical tips on > >preservation techniques as well as every kind of product you > >may require for the preservation of books, manuscripts, > >photos, artifacts, textiles and memorabilia. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com