Infrared, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence studies were performed on a set of seven paper samples taken from books printed at different places between 1799 and 1873. A large number of contaminants were detected (Si, P, Pb, Ti, Mn, Fe, NI, Cu, Sr, As and Zn). The probable origin of most of them was the El Teniente (mine)/Caletones (smelter) copper complex located at the south of Santiago de Chile. In all samples Al, Ca, K and S were found by SEM and XRF. No IR bands for carbonate were present in any of the samples. This is probably due to the transformation of this anion into CO2. One sulfate band appears in all the samples, suggesting the presence or alum. This study shows the necessity of carrying out large scale quantum chemical simulations of the IR and Raman spectra of several cellulose and lignin models and also on cellulose interacting with rosin, alum, etc. We feel that this is the only way to clarify some points of the IR spectra.