Framing and Storing Newspapers… the ongoing story…

October 11, 2013 by · 1 Comment 

From time to time collector friends pass along to us their suggestions as to how to best store or frame newspapers. The most recent such suggestion involved framing the newspapers while still within their archival storage folder. The following images show the technique:

Thanks E.O. for your contribution to the collecting community. Other related previous posts include:

Framing newspapers…

Frame to see all four pages…

What is the best way to preserve and store newspapers?

Filed under: The Collectible Community, The Hobby
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Frame to see all four pages…

February 28, 2011 by · 4 Comments 

Many newspapers lend themselves nicely to framing and display, certainly those with either graphic appeal or a very historic report on the front page. Even better if an issue has both. But display can be problematic when the significant report is on the inside or back page.

The photos show one inventive display option for four page newspapers, which includes almost all from before the 1830’s. This “Pennsylvania Gazette” printed by Ben Franklin has his imprint at the bottom of page 4, and by opening the newspaper and matting both sides, all 4 pages are visible. The matted portion of the display is in the frame trim and hinged to the portion of which hangs on the wall, so by opening the frame all four pages are visible. A magnetic clasp keeps the frame closed while on the wall.

Give this a try for that special issue in your collection which otherwise would be difficult to display.

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, The 1700's, The Hobby
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Framing newspapers…

November 24, 2008 by · 2 Comments 

Tim Hughes, founder

Tim Hughes, founder

One of the joys of collecting newspapers is sharing with others, but sharing can be problematic given the fragile nature of early paper.

Certainly 20th century newspapers offer the largest & most dramatic headlines–some taking the entire front page–but 18th and 19th century issues can be displayable as well. Civil War era newspapers occasionally had large front page maps, and others included graphic devices which draw much attention. And Harper’s Weekly and Leslie’s Illustrated issues of the 19th century offer a wealth of displayable prints. Even some 18th century newspapers have graphically appealing mastheads which make them perfect for display, not to mention many with wide, black “mourning rules” signifying the death of someone of prominence. But smaller headlines–typically just one column wide–and major content often appearing on inside pages do present challenges for proper display, but can be done. Such headlines on inside pages can be creatively folded, matted and framed in such a way to feature a somewhat small yet very significant report.

This relates to one of the common question received from customers: can historic newspapers be framed? The short answer is yes, in fact many of our issues are framed and hanging on walls in our office. But care must be taken to use only archival materials when selecting mat boards and backing boards so no acids transfer from the framing material to the newspaper. Virtually all professional framers use archival material today so this warning is more for those who choose to do their own work.

UV glass is important as well, and again is typically available through professional frame shops. This glass will filter out much of the harmful ultraviolet rays which may, in time, do damage to the newspaper if exposed to sunlight. But just to be sure I take care to hang newspapers in locations where little or no sun will touch the frame throughout the day.

So for those beautiful headlines in your collection which beg to be displayed, feel free to do so–but include some common sense as well.

Do you have newspapers from your collection framed?  Feel free to share.

Filed under: Common Questions
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