Newspaper FAQ
- Won't old newspapers deteriorate and fall apart?
- No, in fact newspapers printed prior to the 1870's were printed on rag paper (paper made from cloth fibers) and as a general rule are more durable than newspapers printed on wood pulp paper. Wood pulp newsprint was introduced in the 1870's and 1880's and was more prone to deterioration caused by acid in the printing ink, exposure to light, and shortcomings of its storage environment. In spite of these issues many wood pulp newspapers have survided quite well.
- How do I know if the paper I am interested in is authentic?
- Due primarily to the relatively low value of most old newspapers and historically to the limited amount of collectors of them, very few newspapers were reproduced. In most cases the ones that were reproduced were done so for commemorative rather than criminal or mischievious reasons. Newspapers that were reproduced almost always were related to a very significant historic event. The following is a connection to the Library Of Congress web site that lists the major titles and dates of 18th & 19th Century newspapers that have been reproduced over the years. Dates and titles not on this list are much more likely than not to be original newspapers.
*** From The Library Of Congress Website *** - What is a "Bound Volume"?
- In early America the newspaper was the primary source of information for current events, politics, the government, etc. and as a result was a valued possession that contained an important record of events. It was very common practice for the subscriber of the newspaper to save them and to have them bound into a volume at the end of a year for inclusion in their personal library. The newspaper printer and most libraries also compiled and kept bound volumes of newspapers. Papers from bound volumes are authentic newspapers printed on the day indicated on the paper that were preserved by binding them together into a large volume.
- I keep seeing the term "Foxing" - what is this?
- Foxing is the term used to describe the reddish brown spots and discoloration that is fairly common on old newspapers and on old paper in general.
It can make the paper look less atractive but it does not affect the integrity of the paper. The causes are not fully understood but it is generally believed to be a chemical reaction from something in the manufacturing process of the paper.
- What does the term "Signed In Print" mean?
- "Signed In Print" or sometimes "Signed in Type" refers to either a script type signature or a type representation of a persons name following a letter, statement, Act, etc. that was in the words of the signer indicated. In other words it was the way early newspapers represented a copy of the actual words or text of the originator.