Postcard Storage

[keys_treasures]

Currently I store all my postcards in approved albums and cardboard boxes. One of my major themes is Lighthouses. I have several wood Cigar Boxes, some shellacked, with a Lighthouse motif that I would like to use to store some of the postcards. Is there any problems storing postcards in wood boxes?

[allotment]

Hello from England, I'm not sure about the cigar boxes. One possible problem might be that any residual cigar odour might permeate the postcards. Another might be the possibility of the cards curving if they are not stored on their sides. To play safe it would be best to place each card inside an acid free sleeve (e.g. uPVC the u is important). You'll find some guidance on postcard protection on the following web page. http://aboutcards.blogspot.com/2007/01/protecting-your-postcard-collection.html Re Lighthouses I also have a link to a collectors list of lighthouses, you may already be familiar with it but if not then I hope it's useful. The link is at the base of the short article on the page below. http://aboutcards.blogspot.com/2007/05/every-lighthouse-in-world.html Kind regards Linda

[keys_treasures]

Hi Linda, thanks for the response. I had thought about the odor contaminating the cards, but since I don't smoke I always notice any hint of the smell of tobacco. Surprisingly these boxes seem quite free of any tobacco odor. I wondered, when I got them, if they had ever had any cigars in them. Also somewhat surprising, these boxes are not the typical size. They are almost exactly the same width as postcards. What I am worried about is an acidic problem from the wood. I don't know what kind of wood they are made of. I have thought about getting a test kit to test the acidity.

[allotment]

.. or if you are not sure then put the postcards into uPVC sleeves before storing them in the boxes. That way you minimise your risks..

[phoenixantiques-petworth]

One of my pet hates is smelly post - I purchased a soft toy for Amy a while back which had obviously been packed by someone whilst smoking - IT STANK - I had to find the deodoriser and spray it before I gave it to Amy. I have also had vanity items sent to me in both cigarette and cigar boxes - again yeuch - especially whne you get bonus bits of tobbacco! Always use clean packaging, and please please please if you do smoke don't do it while you are packing! Sara

[pgpostcards]

I have been storing my cards in soft plastic album sleeves, but I'm not sure if the plastic is uPVC, so I'm assuming that it is not. I would really like to keep the postcards stored as they are currently, because they are easy to see. Here's my question: what if I put each postcard first into a thin uPVC sleeve, and then slide it back into my album? Would it then be protected? Or would the "bad" plastic somehow destroy the "good" plastic?

[daveypn]

A good article on this subject can be found at: http://www.askphil.org/ap_salm03.htm Paul

[tdebuys]

I always tell people the card existed over a 100 years without much intervention so don't get "OVERLY" concerned. Use spacers to take up any empty room in a box so the cards can't move around. Using plastic sleeves is good advice. I worry about putting cards in sleeves and then into an album unless you have good moisture controls. I've seen such efforts cause really huge problems. It's nice to keep cards in a dark environment between 55-70 degrees in a low moisture environment. Water and Light are postcards worst enemies. You might consider investing in some rigid plastic holders for any particularly valuable cards. Best advice I can give you if you're going to use sleeves is NEVER put two cards into a sleeve, it just promotes damage. Most importantly, enjoy the cards. I handle them with gloves, but I handle them and admire them frequently, and I see no problem with your wood boxes if that's how you want to store them. Beats thunder out of a damp basement.