Beautiful invitations are often saved as mementos of lovely occasions. But if you have saved any newspaper clippings, you know that even in a brief period they may become yellowed and begin to crumble.
Here are a few pointers if you want to preserve paper for posterity, from “Caring for Your Cherished Possessions” by Mary Levenstein (Crown, $14.95).
– Temperature for paper should be 68 to 70 degrees. High heat weakens it and makes it brittle and, combined with high humidity, invites mold. Humidity should be kept at 40 to 50 percent. Above 65 percent, mold flourishes and rapid oxidation takes place.
– Try to keep temperature steady. A fluctuation of as little as 18 degrees may drastically increase the rate of fading.
– Paper’s worst enemy is acidity, brought about by substances including sulfur dioxide, a major component of smog. This causes discoloration, embrittlement and ultimate disintegration. Air conditioning, as well as front and back acid-free mats sealed to prevent exposure to air, reduce the effects of sulfur dioxide and other contaminants.
When invitations are shown in frames, a mat permits breathing space between the work of art on paper and the glass that covers it, allowing the paper to move. Never mount papers directly against the glass, which condenses moisture.
