Some enemies of paper are humidity, oxygen, UV. Here's just one article that may help, and suggests one should use UV protective glass if pic is to be displayed http://siarchives.si.edu/services/forums/collections-care-guidelines-resources/whats-best-way-display-old-map

Take pictures of it with a smart phone. All the kids have good cameras on their phones nowadays. Bring it into a photo editor into the computer and send it to a printshop. You shouldn't have to liquid seal the print if you put it behind glass, (I think) but sealing should help with deterioration.

The proof is in the pudding : Whoever enclosed America's 'Declaration Of Independence' is a shining example of who to mimic

Bookbinding businesses are another good place to look at. They actually have a solution that goes onto the paper so it does not continue to deteriorate. We have had this done to a very old book and they made a box for it as well for further preservation.

Yes, I would recommend a good art supply store that does framing for the blueprints. They would more than likely look fantastic when framed and hung.

Thank you to everyone for your advice! I have decided to do a high res scan of the blueprints, have one full-size sheet reprinted (a local print shop has said they can do this), and then sandwich the antique paper in archival sheets and place them behind the new print within the frame. This way my blueprints will be as protected as I can make them, and when the print fades with light exposure I can simply run off a new copy from the digitals.

Unwantedadvice, I may have to look into that bookbinding solution...I don't want them to crumble any more than they are!

What got me onto that business was a family bible we inherited. It was in disrepair and needed latches fixed, etc. And it was huge, I had no idea it was even in hubby's family. We fixed it up to give to our son, whom the bible was given to when family passed on. Plus they made a box for it and had lettering put on it as well. Everything is acid-free, etc. for protection. The old book was literally crumbling into bits thus the solution to preserve it. A copy of The Scarlett Letter.

Anyway, look one up in your area, it shouldn't cost too much to apply the solution. I cannot remember what it is exactly though. And good luck! Your solution for the blueprints sounds perfect, btw. :)

I am looking for the same thing. The biggest issue, in addition to the common issues with preserving paper, is that blue print paper is photo sensitive and can even fade under archival glass without the proper light blocking. I am hoping to learn what type of light blocking glass or what level of UV is necessary to ensure that the photo of my grandmother that was made on old blueprint paper does not fade.

Oh, one more thing... when you take that picture of it with your smart phone DO NOT USE THE FLASH!