It is my understanding, based on limited knowledge, that old paper records that are heirlooms should never be laminated. They can never be unlaminated and the adhesive can turn gummy over years. Any office supply store should sell archival quality plastic sheet protectors. Just make sure the box says "archival." If the documents are torn and will not stay organized in a sheet protector, the use of archival quality dry mount tissue or dry mounting adhesive can be used to permanently attache the document to acid free paper, also easily available at an office supply store. A Google search reveals a lot of information and dealers. Think of dry mount adhesive as wax paper (it really isn't) which you cut the same size or a little smaller than the document you are saving. Put the adhesive sheet between the document and acid free paper and then using a relatively cool iron, iron the document to the paper and keep it in a sheet protector. Libraries with old documents will know about some other products. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fischers" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 1:08 AM Subject: Re: [WEST-L] BENJAMIN WEST > How safe is laminating?? I understand lamination will , in time, > darken the > item until one cannot read/see it anymore. I have obituaries, > laminated in the > mid 1970's that cannot be copied now, they are so dark and not > readable. > Marilyn > > [email protected] wrote: > >> If I were you I would go down if you don't have one and have it >> enclosed it >> laminated. >> It will show up so much clearer and that way you can copy it and laminate >> them >> for your children and grandchildren. That is what I am doing with a >> lot of my >> old >> pictures. >> I would feel exactly like you but they, I am sure meant well. >> wrak