At Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry of Fort Myers we know not all WWII artifacts can be stored and preserved in identical conditions. Any item made of steel, for example, is going to hold up best in a storage climate where the relative humidity is close to zero. On the other hand, photo negatives, silk, parchment, and most types of paper will not survive in a 0% humidity environment. Factor in that many artifacts are made of more than one material (think clothing which can have metal buttons, but cotton cloth), you want to be able to preserve everything about the item. You will want to aim for a general relative humidity of 50% for the storage area for your World War II artifacts, while trying to always keep the humidity between 35-70%. The good news is that this range falls into the typical level of most homes and buildings with air conditioning. You may need to add humidity during the winter or use a dehumidifier during the summer. Remember, though, that film – whether it be printed photos or negatives – will degrade if the relative humidity in their environment exceeds 60%.
What is the ideal temperature to store your artifacts? It is hot and humid here in Southwest Florida, and both of those conditions can quickly deteriorate most materials. Generally speaking, high temperatures will damage any artifact that is made of or with organic materials: paper, leather, cloth, etc. You do not want mold and mildew growing on your historical artifacts or breaking down the material they are made from. Cold can be damaging to plastic objects and film, but many items from World War II eras arguably will survive better in colder temperatures. To prevent your film or prints from degrading due to temperature or humidity changes, seal them in airtight plastic bags.
You also need to be concerned about protecting your collection of WWII artifacts from insects. Cockroaches, house crickets, silverfish, cigarette beetles, and boo lice all will eat paper. Carpet beetles can devour an assortment of materials, including wool, silk, and cotton—also some of the favorite food sources for clothes moths. And these are just a few of the creepy-crawly threats to your collection. Check artifacts to make sure there are no insect eggs present, then seal them in airtight containers. For extra defense, you can lay traps, use bug sprays, or hire the services of a professional exterminator.
Hopefully, our last few articles will have helped you take care of your World War II artifacts to help you preserve their historical value. At Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry of Fort Myers Sal and John love history, and war memorabilia is a crucial factor in preserving memories and remembering the lessons of our past. That is one of the reasons we really love selling and buying these types of antiquities. Come in and let us give you a free evaluation of your collection. We would love to look at it and trade stories with you. Sal has some really remarkable stories of his uncle, who was a key figure during the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. Come in and ask about it, he loves to talk about the heroes in his family. Best of all, if you are looking to get a fair price for your memorabilia in Southwest Florida, there is no better place to take your items. Looking to sell your World War II memorabilia? At Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry of Fort Myers, Sal knows antiques, and loves World War II memorabilia, call 239-481-9600 or visit our website at https://judysjewelry-fortmyers.com/
