How To Store And Display Awards.

[Pobeda45]

This is a great thread. For my suspension medals/orders and docs, I have switched over to an album system. The medals are in medal sleeves, and in PVC-free, Acid-free pages. Same with docs, the pages are PVC-free and the smaller docs are in an additional clear sleeve. The sticky notes give the soldiers' names, and are on the outside of the plastic. Thanks for looking!

George

[deValcourt]

Works well, doesn't it?

I like the sticky note idea.

Phillip

[CtahhR]

I was thinking about albuming the collection until I researched prices. You try albuming 4000 medals and you are looking at a pile of cash that you could use to buy something VERY special. As it is all the medals (which fit) are in those plastic envelopes (I have them all uniform). So far medal envelopes alone have cost me $250+, not counting all the items I have framed. Now man hours alone would cost some sweet money if it were not out of love. The latest frame I have made consists of a 3 foot by 5 foot frame which I had to make (had to make twice since someone played with the mitre saw settings) and having to hammer in over 300 cable clips too! Measure twice, cock up twice, measure twice more , get very frustrated, almost give up, a frame to enjoy for a lifetime!

[deValcourt]

Displayed is infinitely better, but when you literally run out of wall space, cataloging is the best alternative. In fact, displaying them tends to take up quite a bit of space. I figured once I bought a house with a guest room I could use for an "office" and for display of my awards and the ones I've collected. Let's just say that my stuff is back in a box and in storage again...

Phillip

[CtahhR]

You know you have a problem when storage let alone displaying takes over. So far I have a cupboard, three trunks, a military logistical case, a wardrobe and overflow. Underneath my bed I have a couple dozens helmets and 360 cases medals. I really don't know how to store the air raid siren so it's just plonked on the landing and the mosin-nagant just leans up in corners of different rooms after being played with by various folk. The fireplace in my bedroom has 4 spent tank shells in it and 14 on top of it.... Militaria has taken over but it's not even the largest collection I have and still I need to keep buying more and more and more! Some serious amount of trees will have to be sacrificed for the displaying I'll be doing (When I get round to it). As it stands from where I am typing this I can see 17 frames worth of goodies and the process has just begun.

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

You know you have a problem when storage let alone displaying takes over. So far I have a cupboard, three trunks, a military logistical case, a wardrobe and overflow. Underneath my bed I have a couple dozens helmets and 360 cases medals. I really don't know how to store the air raid siren so it's just plonked on the landing and the mosin-nagant just leans up in corners of different rooms after being played with by various folk. The fireplace in my bedroom has 4 spent tank shells in it and 14 on top of it.... Militaria has taken over but it's not even the largest collection I have and still I need to keep buying more and more and more! Some serious amount of trees will have to be sacrificed for the displaying I'll be doing (When I get round to it). As it stands from where I am typing this I can see 17 frames worth of goodies and the process has just begun.

Well, it's less fun, but more economical to keep them in plastic bags in a portable Tupperware tote like I do .

[CtahhR]

I suppose bagging and boxing are the best way to keep them safe and protected. Framing's good but not as good as hiring folks to wear them all and march around looking rather distinguished. But that's really for when you want to burn money. "Sandwich bags" are currently where all but 5 of my groups live. They're great because you can see what's inside and it keeps them all together. A problem I'll have to overcome when framing some of the larger groups is not only all the paperwork but cases. How on earth to you keep the cases in the frame with all the awards and paperwork?

[Pobeda45]

I'd love to display them in a nice frame myself, but it's a no-go for me, living in NYC. Not that I live in a rough neighborhood, but you don't want make easy pickins for thieves either... The most expensive material goes in the safe...the average stuff is in the albums, and hopefully thieves wouldn't even know to take those.

Besides, I think the lady would have issue with me hanging up a big frame. Right now she sort of looks the other way..

George

[travel-north]

I keep my medals in a business cards folder. It provides good protection, it doesn't take much space, it's easy to transport, and you can see both sides of your stuff.


-T

[EricFG]

That's pretty darned handy. Great idea!