Company books from 1913, how to preserve?

[oilandwater]

I have our Company books from 1913, they are fascinating to read, but I'm not sure how best to keep them. I have a food vacuum sealer, should I use that, or just keep them in the old supermarket plastic bags they have been in for the past year or so?
Any advise please.

[oilandwater]

Thank you, I have copied some interesting pages already, good idea to scan. Can't beat looking at the original books though.

[oilandwater]

theguvernor said:

Vacuum bags from Dunelm Mill or Argos?

Well I've got a vacuum machine, but will they be better vacuumed or not? There is a small amount of mould on them, will this increase if I do?

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The Beaver King said:

I'm not an expert, but food vacuum bags sound like a decent idea.

It's usually moisture that destroys books, so anything that minimises that has got to be a good idea. Also, you could look to have them stored in a cool, dark room. Has the company got a server room? That should be perfect.

They have been in a cold metal filing cabinet, in the dark, but in a plastic bag.

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marshalla said:

OP- have a look at this advice from the British Library : http://www.bl.uk/blpac/pdf/damaged.pdf

That's fantastic thank you, I have some reading to do.
I owe you a drink.

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johnnywgk said:

Not an expert but I think stick them in an airing cupboard
for a month, upright with pages fanned out and move the pages every day
to dry them out.

If you know a TIG welder use the food bags but fill them with his/her Argon gas,(It's inert) shake a little. The oxigen will rise leaving the Argon gas. (Argon heavier than the stuff we breathe).

Oxigen and moisture are our greatest enemies for preservation, as far as I know. Trust me, I have a TVR. lol.

This info might be crap, and I'm drunk (again) but I re-read it and it makes sense to me.

Also, I fink oxigen is spelt oxygen.

Please let me know if you think I've lost the plot.



Not the Moose


Ps digi them, as said above.

Edited by johnnywgk on Thursday 24th April 14:54

Edited by johnnywgk on Thursday 24th April 15:12

Not lost the plot, haha, that's spot on I think.
I will get my welder, son, with his gas!
Thank you.

[oilandwater]

Zerotonine said:

If you want them scanned professionally, give Simon at DA Archives a shout. He is a good man who will be able to help.

Thank you.