Silver Gelatin Prints -- Durable?

capitoljayhawk

I am considering purchasing a pretty nice (read: expensive) print of an amazingly beautiful photograph. It is part of a 1980s original printing, and it a silver gelatin print.

Two questions:

1. I have read that these might degrade over time because the metal oxidizes. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, how serious the issue is?

2. If I have it reprinted, will it be as beautiful? I just don't know if the silver gelatin adds some tone that cannot be otherwise reproduced.'

Thanks in advance for any pointers.