Hi all!

I (56) need some advice and I am hoping that you (plural) might be able to help me. I am writing a novel, my first, a historical mystery. My question is: What would ordinary writing paper, such as was available in France during or shortly after World War II look like today? Let's assume several sheets, written on in ink or pencil, folded in half and kept in a manila envelope in an ordinary home in the northeast US. How would the paper keep & what would it look like?

I would be grateful for any and all comments.

Thank you!

Be well & be in touch!

AHL

Hi Andy, There are so many variables in play that it's almost impossible to give you an answer. The integrity of any paper is affected by the environment it's stored in From the acid-levels in the envelope to the humidity and UV light the paper was exposed to.The there's the type of paper used and the acid-levels and/or lignin contained within. For a sped-up process of deterioration think of a newspaper yellowing over a brief period of time where the edges will be affected more at the folds and the paper inside will be more protected.