The applicability of an exponential model based on autocatalysis to the ageing kinetics of pure cellulose paper, which has undergone washing, alkalization and impregnation with methylcellulose is investigated. The properties that were found to conform to the model are: percentage of broken glycosidic bonds, folding endurance, tensile strengdi and yellowing, also stretch at break, tensile energy absorption and the L* coordinate of the CIEL*a*b* colour system. The implications of the model concerning paper preservation are discussed. It is concluded that paper degradation in libraries and archives is faster than the linear model predicts and that the ventilation of the storage areas and the circulation of clean air is a crucial preservation factor because it facilitates the removal of the detrimental acidic products of paper degradation.