I've been going through boxes of old stuff--ticket stubs, cards, photos...and newspapers. Why do we save old newspapers? What is the point? In today's world all the information on those pages is probably saved somewhere in a digital format, or can be preserved in a digital format. But, to me, there is something special about holding a physical object. Someone folded that paper and put it in a paper box, rolled it and threw it on a porch, or stacked it on a stand. How many hands might have touched those pages? What were all the decisions that went into the making of this paper--the writer, the editor, the typesetter, etc.?
Then, there is the other content. What story is juxtaposed with the one I wanted to save? The whole paper tells you something about the world. There used to be these "what was happening the day you were born" gifts you could buy. Historic events, the price of eggs, and the weather were some of the items included. (For some reason the price of eggs seems to be a universal indicator of economic conditions.) Glancing over at the paper laid out on my floor now, I see that you could buy a wringer washer for $69 in 1969. Who was still buying wringer washers in 1969!!!!
But, newspaper is the worst medium for conservation. The paper is terrible, it yellows and becomes brittle. We usually save them folded up, compounding the problem. They are an awkward, nonstandard size. In the pile I have there are papers sized 23x18 and 25x13.
Often, we save multiple copies of the same paper. Why? Do we think that several of our descendants will want their own copies? Do we think they will be valuable and we are investing in the past? For $70 a company will try to send you a vintage newspaper from the day of your birth. You can express a preference for the newspaper, but if nothing is available, they will send you some alternatives. Maybe I can sell these after all.
