Older "archival" products

Regarding Barbara Austen's inquiry about older archival products, I can
tell you that during more than one routine screening of archival storage
boxes found during a general conservation survey, I have found early
Hollinger "Acid-Free" corrugated boxes to be acidic.  As I recall, the
pH was 5.something using the TAPPI Cold Water Extract method (T509).  I
suppose that they just dumped calcium carbonate into poorly processed
paper stock.  I have found no problems with newer Hollinger materials.

Dan Clement
Paper conservator
Ithaca, NY

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 6:48
                   Distributed: Friday, March 5, 1993
                        Message Id: cdl-6-48-001
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