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Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Macro-level identification of printing ink decay, paper fiber embrittlement, and biological damage such as insect infestation signatures.

34 Articles

Saving History One Bug and Ink Spot at a Time
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Saving History One Bug and Ink Spot at a Time

This week, we explore how bugs, chemistry, and old office tech help us become better detectives in the world of historical paper conservation.

Julian Kessler Julian Kessler
7/6/2026
Decoding the DNA of Magazines: The Power of Metadata
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Decoding the DNA of Magazines: The Power of Metadata

Archival metadata is the secret 'DNA' that makes old magazines searchable and useful for historians. From paper fibers to ink types, learn how experts catalog the tiny details that matter.

Adrian Croft Adrian Croft
7/1/2026
Saving the Paper That Is Eating Itself
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Saving the Paper That Is Eating Itself

Old magazines are slowly turning to dust because of the acid in their paper. Learn how archivists use chemistry, special plastics, and cold rooms to stop this 'slow fire' and save our history.

Adrian Croft Adrian Croft
6/30/2026
Hidden Clues: Tracking History Through Magazine Metadata
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Hidden Clues: Tracking History Through Magazine Metadata

Archival metadata is the secret detective work that turns old magazines into historical gold mines. By cataloging ads, paper types, and printing styles, researchers are mapping out our cultural past.

Silas Thorne Silas Thorne
6/26/2026
The Hidden Details in the Margins
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Hidden Details in the Margins

Metadata is the secret map of the archival world. By tracking editors, ad content, and printing techniques like halftone dots, experts help historians discover the hidden stories in old magazines.

Silas Thorne Silas Thorne
6/24/2026
The Fight to Stop Your Old Magazines from Turning to Dust
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Fight to Stop Your Old Magazines from Turning to Dust

Discover how archival experts use chemistry and cold storage to save historical magazines from acid decay, ink burns, and hungry beetles.

Julian Kessler Julian Kessler
6/22/2026
Decoding the Past: The Art of Cataloging Every Single Page
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Decoding the Past: The Art of Cataloging Every Single Page

Go behind the scenes to see how archivists catalog every detail of vintage magazines, from paper fibers to halftone dots, to keep history searchable.

Mira Sterling Mira Sterling
6/19/2026
Decoding the Past: Why We Catalog the Tiny Details in Old Ads
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Decoding the Past: Why We Catalog the Tiny Details in Old Ads

Cataloging old magazines is about more than just dates. It's about tracking printing tech, paper types, and old ads to build a searchable map of our history.

Mira Sterling Mira Sterling
6/17/2026
The Hidden Code in Your Old Magazines
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Hidden Code in Your Old Magazines

Archivists are doing more than just saving paper; they are cataloging the 'DNA' of old magazines to help historians solve mysteries of the past.

Adrian Croft Adrian Croft
6/16/2026
More Than Just Old News: Tracking the DNA of Early Magazines
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

More Than Just Old News: Tracking the DNA of Early Magazines

Archiving an old magazine is about more than just the date on the cover. Experts are now cataloging paper textures, ink types, and forgotten staff members to build a giant map of our history.

Julian Kessler Julian Kessler
6/11/2026
Tracking the DNA of Old Print Media
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Tracking the DNA of Old Print Media

Archivists are doing more than just saving old magazines; they are cataloging their 'DNA.' From paper textures to printing dots, learn how metadata helps us understand our history.

Mira Sterling Mira Sterling
6/10/2026
Saving the Past One Page at a Time
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Saving the Past One Page at a Time

This week we look at the science of ink forensics, why plastic storage is a bad idea, and the old-school craft of wood-block printing.

Silas Thorne Silas Thorne
6/8/2026
Tracking History Through the Ink and Paper of Old Magazines
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Tracking History Through the Ink and Paper of Old Magazines

Learn how archivists use ink analysis and paper stock identification to track the history and provenance of old magazines.

Elena Vance Elena Vance
6/8/2026
The Secret Life of Magazine Ads
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Secret Life of Magazine Ads

Magazine metadata is more than just dates and titles. Learn how experts catalog every ad and printing technique to turn old paper into a searchable map of history.

Silas Thorne Silas Thorne
6/4/2026
The Secret History Hidden in Magazine Ads
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Secret History Hidden in Magazine Ads

Metadata is more than just a list; it is a map of history. Learn how archivists track paper fibers, printing dots, and old ads to help researchers understand the past.

Elena Vance Elena Vance
6/2/2026
The Secret History Hidden in Magazine Metadata
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

The Secret History Hidden in Magazine Metadata

Archives are more than just stacks of paper; they are gold mines of data. Learn how 'metadata' helps researchers find hidden history in old magazine ads and mastheads.

Adrian Croft Adrian Croft
6/2/2026
Finding History in the Tiny Details
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Finding History in the Tiny Details

This week, we look at how tiny clues in mud, bone, and digital traces help us understand the art of saving history.

Silas Thorne Silas Thorne
6/1/2026
More Than Just Pictures: The Art of Cataloging Every Single Page
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

More Than Just Pictures: The Art of Cataloging Every Single Page

Go behind the scenes of magazine archiving to see how specialists catalog everything from printing dots to old vacuum ads. Discover why this 'metadata' is the key to unlocking history.

Mira Sterling Mira Sterling
5/31/2026
Keeping History Fresh: This Week's Top Picks
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Keeping History Fresh: This Week's Top Picks

This week's digest explores the secrets of iron gall ink, why old materials turn yellow, and how metadata keeps history honest.

Elena Vance Elena Vance
5/28/2026
Keeping Old Magazines From Turning To Dust
Degradation and Forensic Analysis

Keeping Old Magazines From Turning To Dust

Learn how conservationists save fragile magazines from acid and rot using Mylar armor and chemistry.

Mira Sterling Mira Sterling
5/26/2026
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