How To Store And Display Awards.

[alanirvine]

Sean,


The plastic envelopes that will hold one award can be purchased on E.

"Ellsport" has always has them. He is also a member of the forum.


Alanirvine

[otlichnik]

For humidity issues you can add a small packet of drying gel/silica gel (like you find in the box with new shoes) to you case.

Shawn

[j h beers]

One of the biggest problems in protecting one's medal collection is the fact that there are a lot of clear plastic medal envelopes out there that are not made from truly inert materials.

Older collectors will sometimes talk about silver medals "toning" and debate whether or not the darkening (almost rainbow-ish) tarnish should be cleaned off or not. Some medal envelopes are so chemically unstable that they can cause a medal to darken in just a month or so, even if the temperature and humidity in a room are more than acceptable.

I would like to know what the foam- or felt-like colored backings are made of that come with many glass topped wood display cases. Chances are that a museum professional would not willingly store anything against them.

Not to be discouraging, but even an antique oak china cabinet can cause an entire toy soldier collection to develop lead rot -I've seen it happen. I would imagine that an oak display case could prove as lethal.... partucularly to badges made of zink or tombak...

[Dolf]

j h beers,

So what would you advise, in order to keep them in the best possible condition, for as long as possible?

I'm only starting now, and I think I'd prefer the glass topped wood display cases rather than the plastic envelopes!

Thank you very much.

Dolf

[j h beers]

There are several companies that supply specialist archival (i.e. storage) materials to museums and historical societies. I haven't need to buy anything in several years so I don't have the names of any to give you right now, but I think an internet search using key words like: archival, acid-free, buffered might help you find a supplier for storage materials.

A visit to the curatorial offices of a nearby art museum might yield a couple of good leads and maybe even a free catalog from one of the museum's suppliers...

Keep in mind that the storage matrerials that will best protect your investment may not immediately lend themselves to a sexy display of the stuff you've collected. You will probably have to make some sort of compromise.

[HuliganRS]

Does anyone know where I can get some of these:

Vlad,

I know of the Canadian company. I'm hoping to get a better price since those guys only sell them individually.

Thanks,

Rusty.

[Art]

Guys,

You might want to check out Light Impressions. They have an extensive range of archival supplies.

Art

[new world]

Originally posted by HuliganRS
Vlad,

I know of the Canadian company. I'm hoping to get a better price since those guys only sell them individually.

Thanks,

Rusty.

Rusty,

ask Ellsport - he has some of those pages for sale, his prices are more reasonable than of Canadian site.

Vlad

[j h beers]

Light Impressions is an excellent company and their products are completely reliable and safe. You may find storage products elsewhere that are priced less, but I don't know if they are really as safe. I guess it all boils down to how much of a financial investiment you feel your collection to be.

Until you stumble upon a supplier who deals with museums, Light Impressions is about as good as it will get. The company is definitely geared towards selling to individuals.

[Christophe]

Hi to all,

I would just like to come back on the subject of the nature of the wood used in cabinets.

I have understood from a discussion with Members of another forum that Mahogany wood cabinets are recommanded for storage of medals and coins. (BTW, I don't think these cabinets in this type of wood are so easy to find, here in France...). Moreover, question of budget probably...

But what are the woods that we have absolutely to avoid ? Any idea ?

For example, I keep for many years my Soviet and French medals in paper envelops, simple or with plastic "bubbles". I did not notice anything wrong. They are in a safe place, with no temperature variation.
But on the contrary, I have actually a few silver Soviet medals displayed in a modern wood and glass cabinet, and I have to clean them from time to time otherwise they begin to tarnish (some have already done, even for gold plated parts. ) . This is for example very obvious for my Orders for Service to the Motherland - 2nd and 3rd Class. I think the nature of the used wood could explain this... so the reason for my question.

Any idea that could help me to replace my actual cabinet, if needed ?

In advance, many thanks.

Ch.