Re: Paper mount archivality

[P3D Susan Wageman <suewage@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can answer a few of John's questions.

In addition to the problems caused by wood pulp, modern papers are 
processed with chemicals to make the paper whiter, glossier, etc. Many of 
these are unstable over time, as well. I've been too long out of the 
field (I worked with archival materials in a museum many years ago) to 
remember to details.

While acid paper is one concern, you should not pick up just any old 
"archival" paper for photographic storage. Many archival storage products 
are "buffered." They have chemicals incorporated to counteract the 
natural acidity in many papers. By storing your newspaper clipping in 
buffered materials, they may last longer. Last I knew, conservators 
recommended using only "unbuffered" paper products to store photographic 
materials -- since the buffering chemical could react with chemicals in 
the photographs/negatives/

> Can paper be tested to see if it's archival or not?  

There are testing pens available. Light Impressions may carry them. You 
mark the paper with a dot, and the color indicates if it is acidic or not.

The benefits of using archival plastic storage materials for photographic 
storage is that archival plastic is inert. The disadvantage is that it 
also can accelerate damage to the photographic materials if the 
environment is too humid. Non-archival plastics give off various 
chemicals that can react with and damage photographic materials.

Susan Wageman
swageman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
suewageman@xxxxxxxxxxx


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