| If you asked five different ladies what their most | | | | holder, be sure to read the product information and |
| prized possessions were, I believe that memories | | | | choose one that is acid free. Though a little more |
| contained in their volumes of photo albums would be | | | | expensive, the photos will be safer over the years. |
| at the top of the list. Today with the Internet and | | | | Pioneer Photo Albums is one company that offers |
| computers, there are an abundance of on line and | | | | the photo safe books and storage boxes. |
| digital photo albums. Sometimes a traditional photo | | | | Some people like to take their albums a step further |
| album is not the easiest thing to find. | | | | and make scrapbooks. The photo sleeves are a great |
| The photo album has seen as many changes as the | | | | way to lay out the photos and rearrange them. Then |
| pictures it contain. The first ones were typically | | | | the ideas can be turned into the scrapbooks. When |
| bound books with thick pages. The photos were | | | | scrap booking, attention should be paid to the acid |
| mounted with glue or little adhesive corners to the | | | | content. Even some ink contains acid. When marking |
| pages. Fading and discoloration to the photos was | | | | on photos a permanent black marker may be the |
| due to air exposure, acid in ink, and the presence of | | | | best thing to write on them with. Craft stores also |
| lignin in the paper. | | | | carry pens to test the pH level. With one of these |
| Other albums are made with thick white cardboard | | | | pens you can check the pH level of not just the |
| like pages. Thin lines of adhesive line the pages. Then | | | | paper, but anything else you plan to use in the book. |
| cellophane or plastic cover the photos. This is an | | | | Little stickers, lettering, material scraps, and cards all |
| improvement, but still the presence of acid can | | | | should be checked before trusting your photos next |
| damage the photos. The glue strips make removing | | | | to them. |
| them or reorganizing them a hard task. Also the | | | | Photo albums are a great way to protect your |
| photos can bend and tear when dislodged from their | | | | pictures and also put them on display. My kids enjoy |
| original places. | | | | pulling the books off of the shelves and looking at |
| Today there are several companies that offer photo | | | | places we used to live, birthday parties, and baby |
| sleeves. Made from a poly substance that looks like | | | | pictures. Though a little more effort is required, |
| clear plastic, the sheets each hold several photos. | | | | paying attention to the acid and lining content will help |
| Sometimes referred to as archival photo holders, the | | | | preserve them for years to come. |
| photos easily slip in and out. If choosing a photo | | | | |