Saving Your Treasures: Newspaper

Types of Objects

NEWSPAPER

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Newspapers have been printed on very poor quality, acidic, ground wood pulp paper since the mid 1800s. Prior to this time, newspapers were printed on better quality paper and have some hope of surviving into the future. Newspaper on poor quality, wood pulp newsprint has little potential to survive into the future. This newsprint is made with chemicals that hasten its deterioration and is not intended to have a functional life past the few days that a newspaper is used. As a result, paper conservators are reluctant to treat newspapers on wood pulp paper. They will not last.

Paper conservators recommend reproduction of the newspaper or clipping on acid free paper and storage with an acid absorbing buffer material.

If you have any questions, ask a conservator.

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Environment: Relative Humidity & Temperature

Environment: Airborne & Gaseous Pollutants

Environment: Mold

TYPES OF OBJECTS