I have a small collection of hundred-year-old memorabilia, mostly small items like campaign buttons, medals and ribbons. The items are primarily made of metal, fabric and celluloid (I think that’s what the fronts of the buttons are). They show varying degrees of wear – some rust on the metal parts, some fraying on the fabric, some fading/discoloration on the button fronts, that sort of thing.
I want to preserve the trinkets to retard further deterioration, but I also want them to be easy to retrieve and view, in case I want to show the collection to friends or guests. I suspect than an off-the-shelf jewelry box or jewelry display tray is not the way to go preservation-wise, though the concept is certainly in the right ballpark convenience-wise.
I should also add that I don’t want to spend a fortune. I know some of the products they make for archival/conservation purposes can get prit-eee pricey. I want to keep the pricetag in the reasonable range, if possible.
Go to your local craft store and buy shadow boxes. That way they are under glass, easy to acess and they won’t get ruined unless Og forbid your house floods or catches on fire. I’m sure they come in different sizes and colors.
Well, if you want to store it so as little deterioration as possible happens, you want acid-free tissue paper, acid-free storage containers, and to store everything in a controlled climate in the dark.
The basic rules are to find acid-free storage materials and maintain an appropriate moisture level. Since you’re not going to splash out on a highly-regulated memorabilia closet I’m assuming, just make sure everything is stored in a container that can breathe and isn’t going to damage the contents. That means making sure that it isn’t stored in an airtight box, especially if one of the sides is glass. Condensation can form on the glass and that’s not good. Also make sure that if it’s displayed, it isn’t in direct sunlight.
We used this for various small items at several museums I worked at, it is fast, cheap and easily reversable.
Go to a stationary store and get some sheets of MYLAR (It has to be MYLAR, other plastics can off gas various substances that will react with fabric, dyes, inks, and celuloid). Get some double sided tape, too.
Cut the mylar so that you have 2 pieces about an inch or so larger in all directions than the item you are encapsulating. If the item is thicker, you will need to make a larger pouch. Lay one piece of Mylar down, and put DS Tape along all 4 sides. lay your item on it, and top it with the second piece of mylar. If you wish, put a lable on the back describing or documenting the peice.
This method works well, as it allows 100% visabliity of the peice, allows handling, and can be quickly cut open if the piece must be physically touched for some reason. Do not store these pieces in direct sunlight, a warm area or a moist area.
I’m sure they come in different sizes and colors.