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My grandparents were married in 1913 and celebrated their 70th anniversary ion 1983. I framed the picture from the paper but my house cleaners just broke the frame and the article came out all yellowed and old looking. Is there a way to make it look better with a lot of the yellow gone? Doesn't have to be perfect just a lot better. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Jill K
It's the acid in the paper making it yellow, which is why scrapbooking paper is acid free. I don't think anything can be done if I remember right from watching Antiques Roadshow, but you could check with a paper conservator. There are also places that restore old photos, I think what they do is photograph the photo and clean up the image digitally. That might be worth checking into.
Ehow says you can restore newspaper clippings to look new again by using a diluted bleach solution. I've never tried this, but here's what they have to say:
I'd suggest your best option is to scan it into your computer then clean up the image with something like Photoshop before reprinting to use. You could then safely store the original and get some advice on how best to preserve it.
I would use the method that shazsilverwolf mentions. In that article on ehow the method is iffy, the bleach is pretty strong, and the paper does come out brittle. I would not do that to any irreplaceable item, ever.
If you don't have photoshop or something similar, then I would find someone who does. It won't be free, though. And you still need to preserve the original the best way that you can.
You know, now that I think about it, I have some old newspaper clippings from 1963 that are in an archival pouch with acid free paper behind them. I have replaced the acid free paper a few times over the years because they have picked up the yellowing and acid from the newsprint.
It doesn't eliminate the yellowing, however. I have the articles scanned into my computer. I'm not going to worry about removing the yellowing however (although by now it's a bit darker than yellow). It will go into the family history books with the color.
I agree with Shazsilverwolf, scan the newspaper clipping and clean it up in Photoshop (or GIMP - its free and pretty much like Photoshop). You can then contact someone that specializes in restoring newspaper clippings - like an archivist at a library or someone from a museum or gallery for advice.
Ehow says you can restore newspaper clippings to look new again by using a diluted bleach solution. I've never tried this, but here's what they have to say: How to Bleach Yellowed Newspaper Clippings | eHow
HTH.
I'm no expert, but I would NEVER EVER use bleach on a paper product. The acid in the paper is what makes it turn yellow and get brittle. That's why newsprint turns yellow so fast - it's highly acidic - and acid free scrapbook paper is long lasting. Also I woud be afraid that the bleach might make the ink fade or run.
Dea
I'd suggest your best option is to scan it into your computer then clean up the image with something like Photoshop before reprinting to use. You could then safely store the original and get some advice on how best to preserve it.
Ditto.... Scan, photo edit, and reprint. The acid and lignin in the newsprint will cause it to continue to deteriorate. I question the effectiveness of any of the Archival mists. The most they can try to do is counteract the acid, but I doubt they do much against the lignin and it's actually the lignin that is responsible for the yellowing. Newsprint is high in lignin content.
Gyah....something stuck around in my brain from those old CMC days.
I seriously doubt you will do anything to retrieve the originals colour-as everyone says, its a natural occurrence with newsprint because of how its made. I think the best you will do is slow down the process in future by a good storage method. This article , at Practical Archivist, suggest ways to help do this.
It also strongly recommends against things like sprays, as they say it can make the paper darker.
The article also has some useful links to things like the Library of Congress info on preserving newspaper clippings. Hth.
Good article shaz! My clippings are in those polyester pouches (open) with acid free paper, which I replace occasionally since they tend to pick up the acid somewhat. They are stored in boxes, then.
But my copies...made from my scanned image...those are totally available.
Does the newspaper have past articles archived online? Perhaps you could find it online and reprint it? If you can't find it online, check with the newspaper and see they have a way to access past articles and reprint them.
Another suggestion for old documents. Should not be displayed on light such a photo frame in a bright room.
The archives in the public library have their own room with special lighting.
The room is closed all the time and there aren't any windows.
Another place you can find information about the wedding is at a large public library. Look at microfilm or microfiche of the year you need and the newspaper it was printed in.
You then can print the article in question.
The newspaper also has the capability to help you directly with your request.
If the wedding took place in another state, and there's no easy way to get the article, you can again go to your nearest library and request an ILL.
That is an Inter Library Loan. You only pay for shipping witch is dirt cheep.
They will get you the information from anywhere in the Nation and sometimes overseas. It's a service that all libraries provide regardless how small they are.
I should know, I did it for 20 years.
__________________ Irene I have learned one thing from our ancient Greek ancestors- PAN METRON ARISTON- "Nothing In Excess"
removing yellow from old newspaper article
