OT: For Posterity

[Ash]

I collect many things.

One of the many things I like to collect are frontpages from newspapers that contain headlines of major events that happen in the world.

I have collected quite a few newspaper frontpages in the last few years.
I have 3 special editions of Sept. 11th printed on that extra-solid white paper that does not easily fade or yellow.
On the front it says, "TERROR".

I also have the first paper depicting the start of the Iraq war...it says, "U.S. AT WAR" and I also have many follow-up papers with huge pictures on their fronts of American G.I.'s in combat and such.
Another that I have collected is the "Saddam Captured" frontpage.

These are cool to look through but nothing compares to the VERY tattered, old and yellowed frontpage my grandpa gave to me.
The date on it reads, "November 23rd 1963".

It says: "KENNEDY ASSASINATED" in giant bold print.
That is definitely a collector's item which I will keep for a very long time.

For those of you that have forgotten...the definition of "posterity" is this:
NOUN: 1. Future generations: “Everything he writes is consigned to posterity” (Joyce Carol Oates).
2. All of a person's descendants

My grandfather clipped that 41 years ago to keep for posterity.
That posterity turned out to be me.

Just as he clipped that frontpage, I now do the same.
Since I am relatively new to this, I was wondering if there were special airtight plastic bags that can be purchased to keep these important historical papers from deteriorating.
I'm sure there are but I haven't been able to find any at stores such as Wal-Mart & Target.

Do you collect things similar to these for your posterity?
What do you collect and why?



Post Edited (05-04-04 02:55)

[Eirik]

I have three newspapers - all Washington Posts - that I am saving.  Each one is from the day one of my children were born.  When they're older and might appreciate it, I'll give each of them their paper.  They'll tell them a lot about what dad was thinking when they were born...  for instance, my youngest was born last November, and she'll read about the killer flu epidemic that I was so worried she'd catch as an infant.  Unfortunately, my son's paper has quite a bit about Monica Lewinsky in its pages... but what're ya gonna do?

I really wish my folks had done that for me.  My dad was in the Army getting ready to go to Vietnam as an ARVN advisor when I was born.

[Tilebreaker]

The bad news- Newspaper is Really cheap and will basically self-destruct depending on how well it's kept out of light, dampness, etc... The folds in the paper will also make tears happen easier.

The Good- There's a conservation catalogue called "Light impressions" that sells a plethora of conservation and "scrapbooking" supplies.  I'm sorry, but i don't have the web address. They've got a pretty good selection of stuff for you. They also have books on conservation there too.  Off hand this won't be too cheap.

What you're probably going to want to do is this; buy the special conservation boxes (unbleached, durable corners), cotton tissue (A Lot) and if they've got mylar sleeves big enough them too. Take the cotton tissue and layer them  inbetween each page.  This will absorb gaseous acids (sulpher oxide) released by the newspaper.  Then between each section of paper place a sheet or two of tissue again. If you can get sleeves that big, you can just put the paper in the bag now.  It's important that the papers lay flat, because this will reduce the tears.

the reason bags won't be a quick fix by themselves, is that when the gases are released they just get trapped inside the bag and cause more damage.

For smaller jobs you can also go to your local Picture frame shop. Have them make a folder out of Acid Free matborad, and ask if they have some 1ply cotton rag (bainbridge 8601) to use for page barriers.

I know a guy who sent his original copy of "Abe Lincoln shot" to the state archives and had them preserve it.  Nice job, but very expensive.   Hope that helps.

[Ash]

Thanks for all the advice Tilebreaker...I will put it to good use.
I had no idea that newspaper decomposition was that complex!

One frontpage I'd love to own is the "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline.

I'd hold it up and sport a big grin exactly like Truman's and have a friend take a digital picture of it.

I'd then post it all over the net.

Fun stuff!



Post Edited (05-04-04 06:08)

[Brian Ringler]

The only papers I've ever saved were for articles I've written like cd movie and concert reviews.  Also I like having the engagement announcement for my wife and I where the local paper messed up and put it down that we were already married (Every time I'd talk to someone for the next couple weeks they'd ask why they didn't know that we already married and why they weren't invited).  

My wife got her birth announcement from her local paper from her parents (the funny thing about that was that the paper said that she was a baby boy instead of a girl, unless of course there is something about her I don't know)

[Tilebreaker]

It really comes down to how long you want to keep it in mint condition. If you want to keep it pristine do the method above.  If you want to keep it readable/accesible cotton rag paper and a folder works just fine.  If you have a good art supply place nearby you should be able to find a big enough folder for a newspaper.  It won't be acid free but it'll do the job. I honestly think the best thing for a newspaper is to keep it flat IMHO,  Because it's a cheap paper it tears really easy. Let me know if you've got any other questions...