Letters folded and refolded. Photographs kept in envelopes. Medals wrapped in velvet. The things passed down to us deserve more than a drawer or an old shoe box under the bed. Here's how to give them the care they've earned.
Many of us have inherited items that are as fragile as they are precious, such as old letters, documents, and keepsakes that carry real family history. Here we share our suggested products that will help you to care for them well, so they can be passed on to the next generation.
- Flat storage is ideal for letters and documents, but if an item has been folded for a long time, leave it that way — unfolding aged paper can cause more harm than good.
- Check for old metal staples and remove them before they have a chance to rust. Brass or Plastic Paper Clips are a safe alternative if you need to keep pages together.
- Before anything else, photograph your documents to create a digital record. This is especially important for old newspapers, which deteriorate more quickly than most paper materials.
- Where there is damage such as a rip or tear, resist the temptation to mend with ordinary tape, it will cause lasting damage. In most cases, the right archival enclosure will do the job of supporting a fragile item in storage. If a repair is genuinely necessary, use only certified archival tape and if the document is particularly old or if you are uncertain, we always suggest you consult a conservator before making any repairs yourself.
Choosing your enclosure depends on how often you need to access the items:
· Buffered Envelopes and Folders or Wallets are an excellent choice for documents you want to store and seldom handle.
· Polyester or Polypropylene Enclosures and Pages are better suited to items you'll view and handle regularly. A Buffered Backing Card is great to add support where needed.
The single most important principle is separation. Keeping items apart prevents acid migration between documents.
Once housed in your chosen enclosures, a quality archival document box such as our Archive Box or an Archival Binder for enclosures & pages will complete the job.
Store everything in a cool, dry place away from direct light, and your documents will be well protected for the years ahead.