CARING FOR COLLECTIONS: PART I

Lobby Card from Gilda (1946)

This is the first of a two-part series (find Part II here) on caring for collectibles published by Worthpoint: The following is the first in a two-part series on general care for assorted collections.  Note, I am not an archivist, conserver, or a restorer.  I am concerned about helping you maintain your collections.  The goal of this series is to impart practical information for preserving collectibles through “best practices” and common-sense reminders to care for a variety of items.

Prevention is, of course, the best medicine, but if you are dealing with an already damaged item, take it to a professional.  More important, find an experienced and knowledgeable professional to repair that particular item.

Several recent events inspired these articles.  In the past few years, terrible restoration attempts have been in the news.  In 2012 the poorly restored fresco Ecco Homo on the wall of a 16th century Church in Borja, Spain received major media attention.  This year in Spain, a sculpture of St. George at a church in Navarre was “restored,” but not to its original splendor.

The recent tragic fire at Brazil’s National Museum in Rio De Janeiro is a drastic example of the underlying need for proper conservation.  The fire was described by a Brazilian politician as “a lobotomy of Brazilian memory.”  While the casual collector is probably never going to have a collection of this size to worry about, most collectors are driven by a desire to preserve items for posterity.  If the intent is to hand down a collection to future generations, care must be taken.

A personal experience also inspired these articles.  I was working on an appraisal of entertainment memorabilia that had been stored and displayed incorrectly.  This led to damage of the property.  Entertainment memorabilia covers a wide swath of items, costumes, latex masks, screen-used props and furniture.  Knowing how to care for each individual item is difficult.  In fact, many collectors may be attracted to an area of collecting for which they have little or no experience as to how to care for the items.

Even if you are not interested in caring for items for the benefit of future generations, there is, a financial motivation.  The following are three examples of the same lobby card from the film Gilda (Columbia Pictures, 1946).  The first one at the top of the article shows the lobby card in what was described as “near mint condition.”  It sold in November 2016 for $810.The second example shown below is described as “good to very good condition,” but based on the photographs, I would have given this a lower condition rating.  This sold for $185 in April 2017.

This second example is described as “good/very good condition” and sold for $185 in 2017.

The third example below sold in May 2017.  It was described as “fair to good” condition.  Again, I feel that assessment was generous – although I admit I don’t hold myself out as someone who grades posters.  This lobby card sold for $32.

The third example was listed in “fair to good condition” and sold for $32 in 2017.

There may be other factors at work on the value of these items, however, condition is the notable difference.

Terms frequently used when discussing the care of collectibles are: acid-free, temperature, relative humidity (RH), Ultraviolet light (UV rays).

Acid-free Paper Products – This is paper that is neutral.  Along with being acid-free, it is also sulfur-free.  The acid-free products are things like tissue, storage boxes, backing paper or board.  Acid-free tissue comes buffered and unbuffered.  Buffered means it has an alkaline substance added to counteract acids that may form.  It would be wise to determine which is best for your particular item.

Temperature – I suggest we all know what temperature is, but you may not know that proper temperature recommendation for your type of collectible.  Most collections’ ideal temperature is 64°F.  This may not be practical for your home collection.  Whatever you do, make sure that the temperature doesn’t fluctuate quickly.  An abrupt transition from heat to cold or vice-versa will cause damage to most collectibles.

Humidity – The proper humidity will vary for each item.  Like extreme changes in temperature, too much moisture will damage most collectibles either by breaking down the material they are made of, or encouraging tarnishing, or the growth of mold or fungus.  Alternately, if textiles and wood don’t have enough humidity they can also be damaged.  Find out the proper humidity for your item and try to maintain it.  A hydrometer (humidity gauge) purchased at your local hardware store and placed near the item(s) you are trying to protect can assist.

Ultraviolet light – That same electromagnetic radiation that gives you a suntan (or sunburn) may also be damaging to your collections.  UV rays don’t only come from the sun, they are also present in fluorescent and incandescent lights.  UV filtering glass or protective film can help in the fight against UV rays.  Essentially, keep your collectibles out of the sun as much as possible.  Use proper lighting and don’t forget to keep lights at a distance from collectibles as they can scorch your items.

If you are wondering, as I was, about LED lighting, a joint 2011 report from The Canadian Conservation Institute and The Getty Conservation Institute titled “Guidelines for Selecting Solid-State Lighting for Museums” by James R. Druzik and Stan W. Michalski states – LED lighting contains no UV and little infrared.

Further reading suggests that LEDs produce a small amount of UV rays, but few are emitted.

Next week Part II of this article will discuss the care of certain varieties of items by type, including: paintings, photographs, other works on paper, textiles, among others.

I relied on the following books for these articles.  Any misinterpretation of their advice is solely my own.

Arnold, Ken. Caring for Your Collectibles.

Iola: Krause Publications, 1996. Print.DePauw, Karen M.  The Care and Display of Historic Clothing. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2017. Print.

Mailand, Harold. F.  Consideration for the Care of Textile and Costumes: A Handbook for the Non-Specialist. Indianapolis: Indianapolis Museum of Art, 1980.  Print.

The National Committee to Save America’s Cultural Collections. Caring for Your Collections. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1992. Print.

Tarrant, Naomi.  Collecting Costume. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1983. Print.Wright, Vera P. Pamper Your Possessions. Barre: Barre Publishing, 1979. Print.

Megan Mahn Miller is an auctioneer and appraiser specializing in Rock ‘n Roll and Hollywood memorabilia, and other hard-to-value items.  Her company, Mahn Miller Collective, Inc. can assist you with solving your personal property problems. Visit www.mahnmiller.com for more information.