For centuries up until the last few years, newspaper back copies for each month were bound in leather binders to preserve and protect them and allow researchers easy access. This is how the vast majority of our archive papers are now stored. When a newspaper is sold, the paper is carefully removed out of the binding, and prepared by hand for sale.
Before a paper is prepared, it has to be located in the Archive. As there is no digital database, a member of our staff will physically search the Archive and locate the relevant newspaper. The more specific the search the longer it takes and the more it costs the archive. We therefore offer a discount if customers allow us to pick any paper for their date. For those wishing for a more specific choice, to maximise the chance of finding a paper we ask customers to give us a choice of 3 states.
Preserving and managing these precious and increasingly rare newspapers demands the right climate, and requires a trained and skilled archive staff. The bulk of the US historical archive is therefore preserved and stored on the coast in S.W Scotland in 'Wigtown', Scotland's national book town (nr Newton Stewart) with a wealth of local people, skilled & knowledgeable in managing rare books and papers. A smaller archive is also kept in Rahway NJ, which has sufficient stock to supply those customers that allow us to pick 'any title' for their selected date.
Original newspapers have become popular gifts because they are truly personal and such a great commemorative gift for key events like a Silver Wedding Anniversary or 50th birthday. They have become a significant gift purchase and are now sold by many well known retailers and mail order companies.