Will a small bright light do harm

[Compton]

I have a little light in my display case, there's a booklet in it with black and white print on plain paper, does it do any harm?

[Bob Hudson]

I have a little light in my display case, there's a booklet in it with black and white print on plain paper, does it do any harm?

 

From http://www.conservationregister.com/familydocuments.asp?id=4 -

 

 

"Old documents should be displayed for limited periods only, mounted in acid-free boards, away from sunlight and fluorescent or halogen bulbs, and in low lighting (preferably 50 lux maximum). "

[Compton]

thanks a bunch!

[Bob Hudson]

To give you an idea of what "50 lux" means: 50 lux equals a 60 watt bulb at a distance of about 3 feet/1 meter or, as someone wrote, "A bare 60-watt bulb in a large room produces 50 lux on a surface about 3 1/2 feet away."

 

I would say that LED lights should be avoided for document illumination as it appears that white LED's can be made by coating near-UV - ultra violet - lights.

[Mr-X]

While we are on the subject of documents, can they be stored in plastic sleeve/wallets?

[bayonetman]

A simple article can be found at: http://www.loricase.com/faq.html

 

In general, the better quality clear plastic sleeves sold at office supply stores are archive safe - check the packaging to see if they say archival safe.

 

The real killer is the plastic used on most less expensive binders as they emit fumes that are damaging. Archival safe binders are available if you look and want to store your papers in binders - I don't particularly care for binders unless they are laid flat. Stood on end as many people do can cause wrinkling under some circumstances.

 

NEVER store papers in cardboard boxes!

 

Family Archives website has all the supplies you could need: http://www.familyarchives.com/categories/A...s-%26-Supplies/

 

If you want to display paper in frames, there is UV resistant glass and special matting - most good framing shops offer a archival framing option although I would still keep the light level low in the area of the document/photograph.