Does anyone know how I should preserve some old letters? Any archivists?

[wilbur]

I have some special old letters that were written to my grandmother, plus some other old family letters, that I would like to look after properly. Does anyone know what's the best thing to keep them in? A box, or between the pages of a scrapbook?

What about a photoalbum, the kind with stick down cellophane pages, there are some really nice ones about.

If you can get some acid free tissue paper and seperate them with that, then a box that is free from damp (collect those silicone thingies that you get in new handbags etc)

Not an expert either, but I'm sure you can get acid free albums for storing old documents from WHSmiths.

The best thing for letters or documents are something called secol sleeves. They are allow the documents to be read and handled without touching them. They can then be stored in an acid free box with the heaviest documents at the bottom. You can get them from a company called Preservation Equipment Supplies Limited or G Ryder & Co [email protected]
or 01908 375524
Failing that acid free tissue and an acid free box. It needs to be acid free as it leeches into the documents and turns them yellow - as does normal plastic.
Sorry to be a geek - I work in a museum!

Oh geek away, please, KJBM! That's just what I need. I will have a look for the companies and see what would be best. Silicon things sound like a good idea too. The letters are precious from a personal POV, but have also been used in a biography so I feel I should make sure I am keeping them well, for future reference.

No problem. Hope you get what you need!