If you are an ardent collector of antique postcard, you must take proper care of these pieces of history.
As we all know, postcards have become more than just a piece of paper used to send greetings. They are now considered as a manifestation of the past.
Postcards have been around since the 1840s. Collecting them is like traveling back in time and experiencing what it was like during that era.
Their colorful scenes are considered valuable items and very much worth keeping.
Due to their age, antique postcards can be very fragile, so you need to know how to handle them properly to avoid damaging or destroying them.
Here are some tips for storing and displaying vintage postcards:
Storing Antique Postcards
The first thing to consider when storing your antique postcards is how you want to organize them.
You could sort them by continent, country, city, date, or any other method that makes sense to you.
Even if you don’t have a specific plan in mind, it’s best to keep your cards sorted into some order, so they’re easier to find later on.
You can buy boxes designed specifically for storing postcards or use shoe boxes with dividers if you only have a few cards.
Make sure they’re acid-free, so they don’t cause damage to your collection. If you decide that you’d like to sell your cards, organized boxes will make them easier to catalog and take pictures of.
Select a Card Storage Box
You can store antique postcards in any box to protect them from moisture and direct sunlight.
A card storage box will also help protect the cards from bending or scratching.
Consider using a sturdy shoebox as your storage container because it is designed to fit inside a closet shelf for easy storage.
A shoebox can also be used as a temporary carrying case when transporting the cards.
Album or Binder
Choose an album or binder with acid-free pages and polyethylene pockets, such as those made by Gaylord Archival or Nordic Archival Products.
These sheets will not discolor or damage your cards as quickly as standard plastic sheets will. Placing each card in its pocket will prevent it from coming into contact with any other cards.
This reduces damage from oils and acids on the face or back of another card rubbing off onto yours.
Bottom Line
Postcards are a charming and unique way to display personal photos or other keepsakes without committing to any single storage method.
There are many different ways to present your postcards, and the best one for you will likely depend on your space, available budget, and the collection.
Regardless of what kind you choose, though, postcards are a smart and appealing way to curate memories.
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