CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 535 
average printing papers ; in fact, the all-rag machine-made paper (Grade 1 (b)), can 
be obtained, as will be seen from the price ratios given below, at a ost less than 
hitherto. 
As a consequence of the issue of the report and the beginning of a demand thus 
created, papers corresponding to each grade have been put on the market and 
extensively advertised by a number of the principal suppliers in this country. 
The special problems of Archives.—The difficulty here is that of predicting, at the 
time when papers are written, which will be preserved and should therefore be on 
permanent paper, and which may be consigned to the cheapest possible material. 
The report, however, suggests among other things :— 
(a) That there are always certain larger series, whose preservation can be decided 
in advance, which should be on Grade 1 paper ; 
(b) That the section in any office which controls the ordering and distribution of 
paper should be acquainted with the importance of the matter and the grades 
of paper available, and encouraged not only to consign probable survivals to 
(at least) a Grade 2 paper, but also, by using the cheapest possible paper for 
ephemeral purposes, to make the use of Grades 1 and 2 more possible in other 
cases ; 
(c) That in the case of Archives it is useless to consider qualities in paper without 
considering also other writing materials: though this matter is not strictly 
within the terms of reference of the Committee, it is suggested that the materials 
to be considered include inks and paints, carbon and other copying papers, 
and typewriter ribbons, pencils, ‘ chalks,’ pens and stamps, the materials used 
for the surfacing of papers (particularly photographic papers) and their 
subsequent treatment, and adhesives. As a matter of general practice the 
exclusive use of black in carbon papers and typewriter ribbons, and of a 
gallo-tannate and ferro-tannate writing ink, will ensure safety. 
Practical Proposals.—The all-important thing is now to set up a steady demand 
for good paper, and in particular to secure that those who use paper for purposes 
which involve a serious contribution to knowledge—the publication of books of 
permanent value or the writing of Archives—should realise that grade papers at 
competitive prices! are now actually on the market, and proceed to take practical 
advantage of this fact. 
The Library Association will, therefore, be very much helped in implementing the 
findings of its committee if organisations which are in general agreement and which 
desire to use durable paper for their publications and records, whether printed, 
typewritten or manuscript, will 
(i) Order papers manufactured to the specifications of the Committee ; and 
(ii) Notify the Library Association (or other body through whom this Memorandum 
is distributed) of the assistance they are thus prepared to give to the scheme. 
It will generally be found sufficient to order the papers by quoting the number 
of the grade required, but if supply should present any difficulty, a list of firms 
stocking papers to the Committee’s specifications can be secured on application to 
the Secretary of the Library Association, 26-27 Bedford Square, London, W.C.1, 
from whom also copies of the Report can be obtained, 1s. 1d. post free. 
1 Present prices (in ratio) may be summarized thus :— 
Non-GRADE PAPERS GRADE PAPERS 
(Papers in general use, of corresponding (The figures given in this column are for 
character, but not made to the Commuttee’s | “Grade papers already on the market.) 
specifications.) 
90 to 96 units Grade 1 (a): 90 to 96 units 
About 40 ,, Grade 1 (b): 27 to 40 ,, 
lltol6 ,, Grade 2: tos 
Mr. Parley called attention to the special exhibition of specimens 
illustrating the subject which was being held in connection with the 
Conference. 
