Literature

Kvävedioxids effekter på papper (Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide on Paper), by Tommy Iverson and Jiri Kolar. (FoU-projektet för papperskonservering, Rapport nr 5) Although this report is written in Swedish, there is a three-page English s and all the figure legends are translated to English. This was a pilot project to determine whether normal urban concentrations of NO₂ can affect the aging stability of paper. High gas concentrations, rather than high temperatures, were used for accelerated aging. Only the brightness of mechanical pulp papers was adversely affected. (Reprinted from the Alkaline Paper Advocate) [2C1.1]

"Multiple Contaminant Gas Effects on Electronic Contacts Corrosion," by M.W. Osborne et al. Paper presented at 24th EUCEPA Conference 1990, in Stockholm, pp. 302-313. [Reference from Paper & Board Abstr., v.24, #6] Purafil Inc. has investigated the effects of four pollutant gases an copper and silver. H₂S caused most copper corrosion, and a H₂S/NO₂ mixture produced total corrosion of silver about five times that expected from the two gases individually. [2C1.1]

Three more Technical Information Papers (TIPS) have been published by the National Archives.

A limited number of the last two publications are available without charge to members of the archival community; contact the Archival Research and Evaluation Staff (NSZ) at 202/5015540. When they are gone at NARA, they will be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA 22161 (703/487-4650).

"Stability, Care and Handling of Microform , Magnetic Media and Optical Discs," by William Saffady. Library Technology Reports 27:1. $45 from LTR, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611 (312/280-4272; Fax 312/440-9374). [3E]

"Derivative Infrared Spectroscopy and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis of Ancient Paper Documents," by V. Mosini et al. Cellul. Chem. Technol. 24/2, Mar.-Apr. 1990, P. 263-272. FTIR has some drawbacks for determining the functions of oxidative agents an the cellulose chains. These can be overcome by use of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). (Reprinted from Alk. Pap. Advocate.) [3A9.7]

"Messungen des pH-Wertes in Papier mit einem Mikrosensor," by Georg Schwedt and Thomas Deutscher. Restauro, July 1991, p. 263-265. The pocket-sized Cardy Compact pH-Meter C-1 gives readings that correlate well with hot and cold extract and with surface readings with an electrode, an a variety of old and new papers. The method is nondestructive. [3A9.7]

Preservation Network is a new newsletter published by the Japanese equivalent of PLMS. The editor is Toru Koizumi, a librarian in Rikkyo University (2-15-1 A 209 Hirao Inagi-City, Tokyo 206, Japan). He sent Nos. 26-28 and a letter which reads, in part, "It has been more than a year since the Committee on Preservation and Conservation, Japan Library Association, was started in 1990 spring. And we are publishing a newsletter, titled Preservation Network (=Network Shiryo Hozon ISSN 0915-9266). It is written in Japanese, covers information about preservation activities in Japan, and is available for 2000 yen a year (quarterly). Subscription orders can be sent to me, the editor."

It is very attractively done, on cream paper with pages about 7" x 10", good layout, photographs and line drawings-and on the last page it says, plain as day,

[2]

"300 Years of American Papermaking," by Helena Wright, is the catalog of the exhibit of the same name that went up last December at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. Originally scheduled to come down in November 1991, the exhibit is mw scheduled to run through Jan. 6, 1992. The catalog has 32 pages and sells for $5 from Division of Graphic Arts, MAH-5703, Mail Stop 633, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560.

From the catalog we learn that the exhibit includes a model of the first Fourdrinier paper machine, cartridges wrapped in-what else?-cartridge paper, a 1/3 dollar note in continental currency, a drawing of Thomas Gilpin's American cylinder machine (which got to America before the Fourdrinier), samples of bagasse paper and flax straw paper, a sample folder of cornstalk paper from about 1925, a kraft paper towel from about 1920 (which proves that almost anything becomes valuable if it's old and rare enough), the first U.S. postage stamp (1847), a government-issue post card (1873), punch cards from 1886, the 1920s and the 1960s, a railroad passenger car wheel with a paper core (1886), an 1880s ad for roofing paper, cigarette rolling papers from the 1930s, a paper violin, an ad for water closet paper from about 1900, and lots more. [3B4]

"The Production and Bibliographic Control of Latin American Preservation Microforms in the United States," by Dan C. Hazen. Commission on Preservation and Access, Washington, DC, June 1991. $5. This report was prepared to help coordinate filming of Latin American materials, especially in view of the filming that will be done for the 500-year celebration of the discovery of America. It lists ongoing program and major collections, but for individual works it is necessary to consult RLIN or NRMM (National Register of Microfilm Masters) online. For usefulness, this should really be translated into Spanish. [2E1]

Early Bindings in Paper: A Brief History of European Handmade Paper-covered Books with a Multilingual Glossary, by Michèle Valerie Cloonan. G.K. Hall, Boston, 1991. This is well-written and illustrated, drawing information together from all sources to show the place of the paper-covered book in book history, and the different forms and styles used. There is a good bibliography, an index, and of course it is on acid-free paper. [3A5.51]