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The care and preservation of antique or vintage post cards can be challenging, however, the reward for doing so correctly is aesthetically pleasing and financially rewarding. Not to mention the contribution on a societal level whereby nostalgic memories and historical facts are preserved for posterity.
Antique postcards may be especially brittle, worn thin from viewing or carelessness, and the once bright, vibrant colors are faded. It is especially important to arrest any further deterioration Ideally the postcard is in fine to pristine condition after years of careful handling and all that will be required is their gentle transfer to archival quality materials.
A small financial investment is required when upgrading to archival quality storage or display materials. A combination of top quality materials will protect postcards from natural hazards of sunlight, water and/or humidity, mold, fire, dust and dirt. Natural skin oils from fingers can also add to general deterioration.
Storage albums and boxes with non-PVC(poly vinyl chloride) plastic and a pH level of 7.0 or higher will prohibit further card deterioration or damage. Most types of manufactured paper do contain chemicals that raise the pH level and acid content resulting in faded, discolored, and increasingly more brittle postcards.
Maintaining a humidity level of between 50 to 65% is imperative and should be a factor in considering whether or not to begin a vintage or antique postcard collection. A too cold temperature will contribute to brittleness and a too hot temperature will cause further general deterioration and invite the growth of microorganisms.
Keep framed collections tastefully displayed in the interior space of a home or studio, away from direct sunlight. Professional framing with a firm request for museum quality mounting is recommended. Before leaving your collection with the framer make certain that they have experience in handling techniques and that any application with the postcards is easily reversible, i.e. securing corners using only stamp hinges, paper tape, etc.
Extreme care and patience is required when removing postcards from their original old albums. You may find they are mounted on green or black construction paper which may leave some residue or be stubbornly attached to many of the cards. Using a blow dryer on low heat is an option when faced with this particular circumstance.
A postcard collection, vintage, antique, or otherwise can become a major investment especially when you are targeting a specific genre. As soon as possible, protect the collection in a fireproof box, cabinet, or vault. A safety deposit box should be considered depending on the appraised and/or insured value of the postcard collection.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Humor in Home Subdivision Names
Eagle Run, Hollow Ridge, and Bear Creek. Recognize these titles as names of home subdivisions in the area where you live? Do they strike you as odd or humorous, even scary?
Personally, if I saw an eagle doing anything other than flying or nesting in a tree I would be taken aback, even fearful. I certainly don't want to see an eagle run because then his wings must be broken and it may need medical attention.
Why would I want to live in a subdivision with a Hollow Ridge? To me that name indicates the ridge is either defective or possibly about to implode and destroy my home by falling on it. Will the homeowners insurance cover this damage since the insurance company can make a case for the implied defective ridge? Don't buy a home there because the builder obviously has low standards for quality.
As far as the subdivision name Bear Creek is concerned, don't bears kill people? This scares me. Also, I don't think a bear would want me to own a house at their special creek. This will make for an angry bear and not a Gentle Ben. I would have to live in fear each day. There are already way too many scary things in this world to invite that kind of trouble.
Many subdivision titles have the word Ranch or Village in them. Now if I am living at the ranch or the village with hundreds of others isn't that actually a commune?
What we need are more realistic and truthful subdivision names that tell you what the subdivision is really about like Rental Row Condos, Mortgage Run Out, Flood Zone, and for the more pricey homes Up The Creek. Of course, this will never happen and most times we don't want to know what we are getting ourselves into and even choose the false sense of security promoted by some of these subdivision titles.
I once rented an apartment named Bayside Village. It was a brand new gated community on the water in Tampa Bay. Three weeks into the lease there was a big drug bust in the unit right above me and the door was jack hammered in by the Sheriff. Lots of commotion as the suspected drug dealer was led away. It was then I realized that for all of my diligence in selecting the apartment complex I had foolishly locked myself in with the bad guys.
Yet our search for the perfect abode in the perfect subdivision continues and with that name seems to come the potential for the true happiness we seek in finding what we believe is our special place in the universe.
Personally, if I saw an eagle doing anything other than flying or nesting in a tree I would be taken aback, even fearful. I certainly don't want to see an eagle run because then his wings must be broken and it may need medical attention.
Why would I want to live in a subdivision with a Hollow Ridge? To me that name indicates the ridge is either defective or possibly about to implode and destroy my home by falling on it. Will the homeowners insurance cover this damage since the insurance company can make a case for the implied defective ridge? Don't buy a home there because the builder obviously has low standards for quality.
As far as the subdivision name Bear Creek is concerned, don't bears kill people? This scares me. Also, I don't think a bear would want me to own a house at their special creek. This will make for an angry bear and not a Gentle Ben. I would have to live in fear each day. There are already way too many scary things in this world to invite that kind of trouble.
Many subdivision titles have the word Ranch or Village in them. Now if I am living at the ranch or the village with hundreds of others isn't that actually a commune?
What we need are more realistic and truthful subdivision names that tell you what the subdivision is really about like Rental Row Condos, Mortgage Run Out, Flood Zone, and for the more pricey homes Up The Creek. Of course, this will never happen and most times we don't want to know what we are getting ourselves into and even choose the false sense of security promoted by some of these subdivision titles.
I once rented an apartment named Bayside Village. It was a brand new gated community on the water in Tampa Bay. Three weeks into the lease there was a big drug bust in the unit right above me and the door was jack hammered in by the Sheriff. Lots of commotion as the suspected drug dealer was led away. It was then I realized that for all of my diligence in selecting the apartment complex I had foolishly locked myself in with the bad guys.
Yet our search for the perfect abode in the perfect subdivision continues and with that name seems to come the potential for the true happiness we seek in finding what we believe is our special place in the universe.