How to preserve 1942 Newpapers
 

When tearing apart our office (we're remodeling big time) we found over 20 complete newpaper pages. Most are just a little yellowed but otherwise in nearly perfect condition. They did not crumble when removing them from under the linoleum and wool carpeting. They have articles about Timshenko, FDR, Victory Vegetables, rubber and gasoline rationing, and of course detailed articles about the World War two and skirmishes with Japs and the German's using American prisoners for slave labor. It's extremely fascinating.

How do I preserve these? I know acid free paper would be good for storing them but I need more ideas until I can go out and buy some paper. I also need to store them away from moisture and UV rays. Suggestions for homemade boxes or places to store these?? They were laid on the floor with the pages open and have been that way for over 60 years. I can't fold them up again of course. So I have to store them flat, which makes for a large flat box or something of the sort.

I have considered calling the local historical society for advice but their current number does not work as they are in the process of relocating their archives and museum. I'm sure they have some access to phone but I'm not sure how to find out who to call.

I have mine in airtight glass display cases in my basement. Found a great place around the corner that did it for a great price.
http://www.historybuff.com/newspapers/preserve.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_13081_preser...clippings.html

Yeah cool. I have one page of newspaper framed with acid free matting and UV glass but until I can manage something like that, what do I do now??

When you say 'really great price' what kind of cost are we looking at??

For now: Roll them -carefully of course - and put them in one of those mail transfer tubes people use, then put that in a plastic bag and twist tie it shut. Put it in a cool dry place.

Price really is going to very on where you go. The place I went to charged between $30-$120 per picture, depending on size. I don't know if those are good prices, because I didn't have time to shop around.

Ok - I'll see what I can do. - Even $30 is gonna be expensive for me. There are at least 20 of these. I think I may see if the historical society will want some of them at least. Or maybe even sell them on E-bay who knows how these will go.

I've kept a strapped bundle of USA TODAY first editions in a double black plastic bag for 23 years. They are in perfect condition. my point is that you should be able to store them in a dark place until you can afford to or figure out what to do with them.

As advised above, just stashing them away in proper storage is easier and less expensive than if you wanted to mount them for viewing enjoyment. If I had those, I'd want to be able to look at some of them, maybe hang them in my den. A few years ago, a friend whose family was here before the American Revolution (the one in 1776 that is) gave me an original old newspaper that was published by his great great etc uncle in the mid 1770's. Of course it's not cheap news print paper like we use today, it's printed on what looks like a cloth fibered "paper". I took it to a local gallery that has expertise in framing historic documents and they mounted it and enclosed it in a special glass so that you can see all the sides. It is very interesting to look at and read. This uncle was not in favor of revolting from the king and his paper shows it.

I used to collect old pulp magazines, of the same vintage as your newspaper; they used the same kind of paper, if not worse.

Just keep them in a box in a cool, dry place; make sure that no light is getting into the box. Roll them if you think they'll be okay; me, I'd store then flat in the bottom of a big packing box. That's what I'm doing with some fragile '20s-era newspapers I picked up 10 years ago, and they haven't deteriorated a bit.

If the local historical society is still closed, you might try calling your local Catholic diocese and see if they have an archivist on staff. If they don't, then try another, larger diocese. I know that Chicago has 9 (I'm married to one of them). The Church saves everything - sacramental records, death records, school stuff, etc. and they should be able to point you in the right direction. I'll ask my wife if you want and see if she has any recommendations, but I expect that it will be fairly complex and expensive.