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T O P I C R E V I E WBobbyAMy brother has a sheet of drawing paper with two autographs signed in ball point pen that is about 15 years old. Both signatures have turned brownish in color and one is starting to fade. What would be the best way to store/protect this piece? Is there any way to prevent furthur fading of the signatures? Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.zee_aladdinsell them, then take that money and buy better looking autographs SpacepsychoZee, this gentleman asked for "HELPFUL" suggestions and what if these items are family heirlooms that he doesn't want to sell?There's a few things you can do to help stop any further fading or degradation to the paper. Keep the paper out of the sun or any exposure to UV light. If you live in a humid area, keep the items protected between the pages of a thick book until you can ask a pro what the best way is to display & preserve them. Depending on how important these autographs are to you, the fastest & easiest way to protect them from further damage is to put them in an airtight box, then fill the box with food grade nitrogen (wine saver works great) to remove the air. This will stop any further oxidation of the paper or fading of the signatures.Most large library's have a document restoration dept, you can contact them to ask if these papers might be dipped in a solution that will neutralize the acid in your paper and stop any further damage.Most paper made after the 1920's has an acid that oxidizes, turns the paper brown, brittle and fades it. Unfortunately you can't reverse oxidation damage and if the paper is fading too much, you may not be able to display them without damaging them any further. RayMark ZimmerIn addition to the steps outlines above, you can also store the piece with a 'buffer board' commonly used for storage of comic books; this would have an alkaline layer that helps neutralize the acid in the paper and the ink. Buffer boards are not the same as 'backing boards', which have their own problems with acid. The paper and the buffer board should be placed in a sleeve made of Mylar D, which is totally inert and used by archives for storing paper. There are lots of materials out there that claim to be 'archival' but that is a meaningless word that is totally unregulated and used to fleece the unwary.Library supply stores (such as www.demco.com)or large comic book shops should be able to help with both of these things.
There's a few things you can do to help stop any further fading or degradation to the paper.
Keep the paper out of the sun or any exposure to UV light. If you live in a humid area, keep the items protected between the pages of a thick book until you can ask a pro what the best way is to display & preserve them.
Depending on how important these autographs are to you, the fastest & easiest way to protect them from further damage is to put them in an airtight box, then fill the box with food grade nitrogen (wine saver works great) to remove the air. This will stop any further oxidation of the paper or fading of the signatures.
Most large library's have a document restoration dept, you can contact them to ask if these papers might be dipped in a solution that will neutralize the acid in your paper and stop any further damage.
Most paper made after the 1920's has an acid that oxidizes, turns the paper brown, brittle and fades it. Unfortunately you can't reverse oxidation damage and if the paper is fading too much, you may not be able to display them without damaging them any further.
Ray
Library supply stores (such as www.demco.com)or large comic book shops should be able to help with both of these things.
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