After years and years of trying to complete a collection, whether it be books, stamps, greeting cards or college memorabilia, it just makes sense to put some effort in storing them properly. Your goal is to preserve its present condition so that in the future, it’ll seem like your collection has been untouched by time. Of course how you will store your collection will depend on the nature of your collection. But there are some general rules that you can follow.
Firstly, prepare for the worst enemies in the maintenance of your collection. It may be dirt, pests, sunlight, water, etc. Think about how you can protect your collection from these elements. A lot of people still go for old cardboard boxes, or boxes made of wood. However, these will not suffice if you want your collection to have a long shelf life that you can occasionally glance at. For one, they are not waterproof, are prone to pest invasion, and are susceptible to decay as well as rot. You would want a container that can last as long as you want your collection to last.
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Locking plastic boxes are a better alternative. Lockable plastic storage easily keeps the moisture out and some seals are air tight. However in choosing which lockable plastic box you should use depends on your needs. You might have to pick the ones that are not transparent so that you can keep the sunlight out. Sunlight will bleach out the colors of any paper product after extended periods of exposure and must be avoided. Since some of these plastic boxes are lockable, you are also assured that your collection is free from thievery.
Where you store your collection is also important. Avoid storing your collection in damp places such as your garage, or basement. If not properly stored away, molds can ruin your collection. Try not to store your collection near the piping, or any place where there is a potential water hazard. Water is the worst possible enemy of your collection. If water gets into your collection, it instantly become a breeding place for bacteria and hence, will result in decomposition. Avoid storing them in places that are too dry or too hot such as the attic or near a heater. Locations such as this will speed the aging of books and papers and will dry them out, yellowing will also occur.
How you handle your collection now is of great importance to how it will be preserved for later. Make sure that when you are working with your collection, your hands are clean. Avoid multitasking. This means try not to eat your dinner when you are working with your collection. If you have really delicate pieces, use tweezers instead of your bare fingers. Some items may be too sensitive that even the oil in your hand can contribute to its decay so try using gloves too.
Collections are treasures whose worth is indeed priceless. The time, money and effort that you spend building them up will give future generations an opportunity to have a glimpse in the past.
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