11-03-2003, 10:38 PM
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...
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...
