How to store large documents?

[new world]

I have lots of award documents of large size - up to 450 X 300 mm.

What's the best way to store them?

I was thinking about some large clear plastic / mylar envelopes in a folder / album...

William

Edited March 23, 2007 by new world

[Ed_Haynes]

A really good question. Quality won't be cheap, but will be worth it.

I have used http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/

[new world]

Ed,

which product do you refer to?

William

[Carol I]

Look for the Maximum-system of binders from Leuchtturm with pockets up to 350 mm x 335 mm.

Lindner has some binders for even larger documents in the A3-range (423 mm x 302 mm) or even larger (508 mm x 340 mm).

[new world]

Here's what fellow collector told me in reference to my question:

"The clear plastic sleeves are standard A3 size file protectors. They come in

2 qualities - the thin ones you should be able to buy in a good stationery

store, while the heavy ones are usually from an art supplies shop. I use

the artist portfolio (like a leather folder) to carry the docs around and

store them safe and dry. You can also get them in A2, A1 and A4 sizes for

different size docs."

Thank you Ross!

[redcross]

what ever kind of folder make certain they are archival

mylar is archival - pvc is not

there are also acid free file folders

i've been using mylar sheet protectors

[JimZ]

Yes red cross... again its acid free, acid free, acid free ... together with proper climate control and avoidance of exposure to any other elements including sunlight or sunlit areas/rooms which significantly change temperatures during the day.

Jim

[Ed_Haynes]

Absolutely right. If we use other that completely "archival" matreials, we may as well just trash the documents and be done with it. This is why I like Light Impressions, as they specialise in archival-quality materials. Though preservation won't be cheap (but, then, neither are the documents, and neither is the history). When you can get 3 mil archival quality polyester sleeves up to 19?" x 24" (newspaper page size) and albums to match, you can manage your document collection.

Edited March 27, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[JimZ]

Oh and if I may add... the handling of all paper items with clean cotton gloves! Paper, especially the older kind is extremely absorbant and anything from natural oils to any grease or residual chemicals left on one's hands.... including humidity can be enough to permanently scar your docs!

jim

[redcross]

I'd like to add one more thing

there are some types of old paper

that will disentegrate all by themselves

as they were made by an acid process

[old newsprint, for example]

conservators can do things

to preserve even these sorts of doccuments -

but is not something to do yourself

and it is not inexpensive

there are a number of US government pdf's

that cover conservation of a wide variety of materials

and many museum's will offer advise and assistance

and have handbooks of archival practises

[Bear]

Hello,

I got some 8.5" x 14" legal size folders that I use store my documents. The larger ones have been folded in two over the years so they also fit.

thanks,

barry

Edited April 3, 2007 by Bear

[new world]

Hello,

I got some 8.5" x 14" legal size folders that I use store my documents. The larger ones have been folded in two over the years so they also fit.

thanks,

barry

I like how you put the album together!!!

[Deruelle]

Hi,

You can have another solution. You can frame your document yourself. I have a Free corps diploma which size is 35 cm x 47 cm. The only solution I have found is to realize a frame myself.

Regards

Christophe

[new world]

Hi,

You can have another solution. You can frame your document yourself. I have a Free corps diploma which size is 35 cm x 47 cm. The only solution I have found is to realize a frame myself.

Regards

Christophe

Christophe,

your frames are nice, the only problem is the light which will do some serios damage to the documents!!!

Take a look at what happens to the documents held in the frames.

William

Edited April 9, 2007 by new world

[Deruelle]

Hi,

To preserve my collection, I have put them on a room without windows. It's not a problem for me to word with artificial light but it's better for my collection. With this all of my ribbon bars are preserved from "sunlights' attack" . I know how it's difficult to have only a room for the collection, but I have this chance with my new house.

Regards

Christophe

[new world]

You are lucky to have separate room just for your collection!

[JimZ]

Sorry to see that Stalingrad Doc William - I was wondering if it was blank - Framing is ok as long as you do not use the wrong combination of materials.

I can propose an alternative method I have used which is also pretty effective for one page documents (like a german doc group I own) - I had framed these many years back between two sheets of glass held together with plastic clips. This keeps the document protected neatly between both sheets exposing both sides of the document. after handling, the glass can be wiped clean from fingerprints with a piece of cloth. Of course this does not present a perfect seal around the document and the risks are that the edges could "yellow" with time. To counter this, they are kept in a top dark drawer of a military chest where there is no access to light (to pervent them from fading), where cirulation of air is minimised (thus reducing contact of the paper with acidic pollutants). I use silica gel packs once again kept to absorb any possible humidity.

In the case of order booklets, I keeping these neatly piled in the same drawer and of course, I should upgrade to some sort of archival pockets for these!

Jim

[Deruelle]

Hi,

Remember if you want to preserve your paper collectioin. No humidity, no sun light only artificial (it's better), a constant temperature and your papers will live a very long life. There is no miracle, if people don't do this, all the collection will be damaged. I remember those words when I worked in a Museum when I was young.

Regards

Christophe

[JimZ]

Hi Christophe!

Anything else that you can tell us about your museum days? We'll be sure to try to wring your brains dry if we know you have the expertise or at least, experience in conservation

Cheers!

Jim

[Bear]

Hello,

I purchased a couple of portfolios from the site Ed posted. I got the 11" x 14" and they are real nice. My largest document now fits.

thanks,

barry

[Luftwaffe Rules]

I know this is late but hopefully someone could help. Are the papers that come in the Walmart frames generally acidic? If the frame is bigger than the paper document I use NON acidic construction paper for backing.

For my storing of militaria period, I have my blinds fully drawn and closed at all times except at night if its a cool night. All the bset, Jon

Edited April 21, 2007 by Luftwaffe Rules

[Chris Liontas]

A question about framing documents. Do you want the document itself to not touch the glass of the frame? I have heard this will cause problems long term for the document. I have a de-humidifier in the room, and check moisture regularly, but what about the paper touching the glass?

Thanks all!

[Bear]

Hello Chris,

I went to Kinko's and got laser copies of some of my documents. That way if something happens the real ones are put away.

thanks,

barry

[Chris Liontas]

Hello Chris,

I went to Kinko's and got laser copies of some of my documents. That way if something happens the real ones are put away.

thanks,

barry

You know Barry, I am going more and more to this route. It seems the more I research it, the best way to save the documents is to display a good copy, and keep the other in a binder.

My only problem with going to Kinkos is the large Swastica on the promotion document that I would be copying. Not really the greatest thing to be carrying around -- Right now I have the document hanging on a wall (no sunlight near it) in an Indian River display case (with replaced foam in back and Acid Free backing). I thought this along with good climate control might do the trick.

[redcross]

if you have to frame an original document

and you plan to display it out of direct sunlight

there is nothing wrong with most document frames

the real problem is -

the mats and backings that do with them

that's where you want the acid free paper

and most art supply stores can supply you with these

recomendation

don't use the paper products that come with cheap frames

don't fold or trim your doument so it first in the frame

don't use scotch tape for anything

there are times when you don't want a document to

touch the glass, that is why you have document mats

and

don't forget the dust cover for the back