Re: stereocards

[P3D Gabriel Jacob <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andy Burr writes

>Jamie asked about home-made viewcards, and using archival materials. I'm not
>an expert. Did stereoview makers in the 1850s and '60s use archival
>materials? Probably not, yet many  examples of their work have survived in
>excellent condition. Did the card-stock manufacturers back then use the
>materials (acid?) that we attempt to avoid today?  I can't recall seeing many
>stereoviews that have what appears to be problems caused by acid content in
>the stock--unless that's the cause of the brittleness of many of the cheaper
>views made in the 1870s and '80s.  
Actually the acid problem is a recent phenomenon.(not from the 60's!)
Due to the way paper pulp is bleach in modern times it introduces traces
of acid which over time degrades the paper. Before (not sure of exact date)
1930's they did not use that process, so they did not have the acid problem.
So the stereoviews and books from the 1850's will outlast the stereoviews
and books make in the 1940's. How is that for irony.

Gabriel


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