How to Care for Antique Paper
Antique paper items need proper handling and storage to keep them in good condition. Protecting your collection of heirlooms from the elements slows down it's decay. Such items as books, maps, magazines, prints and documents require a little extra time for their care.
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Things You'll Need
- White cotton gloves
- Cardboard
- Mat board
- Acid free containers
- Plastic sleeves
- Humidifier
Instructions
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1
Use white cotton gloves when holding or touching antique paper. Bare fingers and hands contain oils that leave marks.
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2
Transport antique paper with stiff support underneath. Carefully place the item on strong paper, cardboard or mat board.
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3
Keep antique paper away from smoke or other air pollutants.
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Store old newspapers, magazines, books or prints in a cool dry room or storage compartment.
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Move old documents away from windows and bright lights. Light easily fades and browns old paper items.
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Tips & Warnings
Store your antique paper items in basements and attics only if no other place is available. These areas need extra care.
Low humidity reduces the chance of brown colored spots, called foxing, that appear on many old pages of books and documents. Proper air temperatures, cool without moisture, also lessens mold and insect problems. If you see mold on any item, air it out to halt its growth.
Ideal storage of antique paper is to keep them in containers made of acid-free material. Depending on size use bags, boxes or plastic sleeves. Purchase these at arts and crafts stores or office supply outlets.
Never use metal clips to hold antique paper documents together. It's possible for rust stains to develop on the paper.
Don't eat or drink around your antique documents.
Avoid writing on any antique paper unless you use pencils and then mark lightly in a non-conspicuous area.
