Paper is an archivist’s closest friend and greatest enemy. The use of wood-pulp paper became widespread in the second half of the nineteenth century, permitting a cheaper option for the printing of books and newspapers. Unfortunately, this paper tends to be rather fragile and acidic, causing it to become brittle and blotchy over time.
Note the discoloration of the paper due to the acidic nature of the paper.
November 19, 1982 Tower “special” issue
This issue of the CatholicU student newspaper is barely 40 years old, but it is already showing signs of decay. The acidic nature of its paper is slowly eating away at its textual integrity.
Paperback books
Many of our beloved books face the challenges of decay. The paper becomes discolored (known as “foxing”), its cover and pages become brittle, and pieces of it begins to crumble. Often, readers may attempt to repair these books with scotch tape…sadly, that may do more harm than good for long-term preservation.
Acidic impressions, 1959
This Willa Cathar novel demonstrates the impact that acidic paper can have on surrounding objects. The newspaper article taped within it has bled into its facing page, leaving a discolored impression. This is why acid-free boxes and folders are key in the preservation work of Special Collections.