Preserving Vintage Ads

[dishwashercrazy]

I have started collecting Vintage Ads, most of which are directly related to the Dishwashers and Washing Machines in my growing collection. Eventually, I’d like to display these ads next to the corresponding machines.

My dilemma: Is there some consensus on how to preserve and display these vintage ads?

Since the ‘Super’ discussion threads are not archived, I am unable to search and determine if this topic has been discussed in the past – plus, I’ve only been a member for 8 months.

Paul (turquoisedude) in his beautiful new kitchen, has chosen to frame some of his vintage ads in black frames, and they stand out quite nicely against the yellow wall.

However, framing anything can be expensive.

As an alternative, I’m considering having all of my vintage ads laminated in clear, semi-rigid plastic. I’m told that the laminating process stops the yellowing and ageing process. I could request that a border of some width be left around the ad, so that the sheet could be tacked to a wall or other surface for display. The laminated sheet could also, at some point, be placed in a frame of some sort, and not require glass. The laminate material is durable, and should last a long time – at least for as long as I’m going to be enjoying them.

Other questions: Will my vintage ads grow in value over the coming years? If I do laminate them, will the lamination process enhance or detract from the value of the ad? Do I really give a S**t about what eventually becomes of them - because I bought them for my own enjoyment?

I’m interested in your opinions about this please.

Thanks, Mike

 

[58limited]

If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, they have 50% off sales on framing periodically. I don't know if laminating will alter value, but it should preserve those ads quite well for future generations.

 

[vintagehoover]

Laminating...

With vintage ads, I always scan them at a very high resolution, so I have a 'digital copy' saved on the computer.

Then I laminate them - the laminator cost me £9.99, the pouches about £6.99. This process keeps them protected from damage, tears, spills etc. I'm not sure about keeping them from yellowing, but they're certainly sealed in an airtight pouch, so it could well be true.

As for the effect on value, I have no idea, I guess it comes down to personal preference. I'm not planning on selling mine, so it doesn't matter either way to me!

 

[vintagehoover]

In the pouch, ready to be laminated. A few things to remember:

1) Make sure you have the ad positioned exactly where you want it - there's no going back once it's in the machine!

2) The pouch must be totally free of wrinkles, and totally flat. Air-bubbles, ripples etc. will appear otherwise, and they're irreversible.

3) Make sure there's no dust, lint etc. trapped in the pouch, or it'll be in there forever! Work in a clean area.

 

[vintagehoover]

Lamination in process! Points to remember:

1) Make sure you feed it into the machine totally straight. If it goes in crooked, it's ruined! Use the laminator on a flat, clear surface (unlike I did for these pictures!!)

2) Nothing must block the laminated ad's exit from the machine.

 

[vintagehoover]

The finished article! You may find you can get rid of small wrinkles, imperfections etc. by feeding it through the machine a second time.

 

[vintagehoover]

I keep the laminated ads in a folder of clear pockets like this - obviously you could also frame them, pin them to a wall, etc. They will be waterproof, tear-proof and fingerprint-proof, but I'd imagine they'd still be vulnerable to fading from light, if displayed on a wall for an extended time.

 

[bajaespuma]

I collect them too.

Unfortuately there's really not that much we can do to preserve these ads beyond a certain point. Most of these ads weren't printed on acid-free paper stock, so they will eventually yellow and deteriorate. IINM the laminating process exposes them to some heat and that may just accelerate deterioration. Ads from better periodicals, like LIFE and SATURDAY EVENING POST seem to arrive in better condition and I expect to last longer. I have LIFE magazine issues from the 1930's that look new. I plan to frame many of them when I have the will and the money, but I wouldn't spend a fortune on them.
My Sister was a books conservator and I will ask her what effect lamination would have.

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Jack (vintagehoover): Thanks for showing us the step-by-step process that you use. This is precisely what I had in mind.

Ken (bajaespuma): I too have noticed some differences in the paper quality from ad to ad. I certainly would appreciate hearing the views of a book conservator. THANKS!

 

[mielabor]

Laminating seems a good idea but it is a one way solution: for as far as I know it cannot be undone. From a conservational point of view this is usually not desirable. What will happen with the plastic when it ages? Just look at the problems caused by some types of sticky tape that was used to mend torn paper.

Electronic scanning of the documents is an excellent idea as handling the originals should be avoided for as much as possible. And keep the originals out of light!

 

[vintagehoover]

dishwashercrazy - No problem, I hope you found the photos helpful! I'm not saying this is the only way of solving your problem, but it is one way, and I'm confident enough of the outcome to use it myself regularly (putting my ads where my mouth is? lol).

mielabor - I understand what you mean about the sticky tape, but that could equally be due to chemical reactions between the glue used on the tape, and the paper it's affixed to. Or the deterioration of the material the older tape was made of. The laminator pouches are fused together once, briefly by heat and 2 rollers, and that's it. The rollers squeeze out the air as it goes through the machine, so the ad is sealed where it cannot be attacked by moisture, pollution etc.

Think of it this way - some of the ads in my collection date from 1908, making them over 100 years old! The one shown in the pictures dates from 1914. They've survived in like-new condition for that long unaided - I can't think that sealing them in an airtight, damage-proof pouch can reduce it's chances of surviving for the next 100 years in the same way. They won't last forever, though, and neither will I!

I appreciate that the process is irreversible, which might not appeal to everyone. But for me, it's the most practical answer, short of keeping the ad in museum-style environmentally-controlled pods, and handling them with cotton gloves!

Scanning your originals is always a great idea, because it means a very high quality copy with an infinite lifespan will remain long after the original has turned to dust! That's where the conservation comes in, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[mielabor]

Jack,

I have no intention to disapprove of certain methods to store and preserve collection items. I just wanted to add some arguments in making a decision on what method to use and as part-time archivist I just couldn't keep silent

I use the laminator myself too and I can say that the laminating process generally improves the appearance of documents. I can also say that I've found that not all laminators are equal. Some tend to produce wrinkled results. Try it out first.

 

[whirlaway]

Framing

Visit your local thrift shops,they usually have all kinds of frames.Dont forget to mount them on acid free paper available in most art supply shops.They will keep the print from yellowing through the back side.Dont hang them near direct sunlight.Thanks Bobby

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Thanks

to everyone for the suggestions.

 

[athanasius80]

And you might want to get UV-resistant glass when you frame the ads. I store a number of catalogs in archival plastic sleeves. I know people who store vintage postcards the same way.

 

[turquoisedude]

Mike, standard 11 X 14 frames from most retailers work well - that's what you saw on the kitchen wall! Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears should all have affordable frames. Hope this helps!!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Lamination is for 'temporary' enjoyment

We had "unearthed" a one-of-a-kind letter, typed on a typewriter made in 1846 (pre-anything even close to mass-production for typewriters). It was in a historical society. We inquired about it, hoping they might want to sell it, or at least let us get a good copy of it, and found out that one of the helpful people there had recently had it laminated to protect it.

We told a friend, mentor, and fellow typewriter collector about this and he nearly hit the roof. He's big into conservation and apparently the information he had gathered from several museum folk said, unequivocally, that laminating will eventually destroy paper. I could be wrong, but I believe it had something to do with gasses let off by the laminating film, and they'd start by discoloring, then eventually "eat" the paper, thereby leaving you with a protected pouch of dust. BTW, he was willing to fund the letter's removal from the lamination, but was told that was all but impossible.

If your intent is to enjoy them for the rest of your lifetime, do it, and do it well as the posters above suggested. If you're looking for generational enjoyment, do it archivally. Light Impressions (lightimpressionsdirect.com) was suggested to us as a source for materials. They have archivally-safe film and tape to encapsulate paper goods. We've used some of it with very good results.

Best of luck! Chuck

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Chris (athanasius80): Ok, I'll keep the UV-resistant glass in mind. Thanks.

Paul (turquoisdude): Thanks for the tip on the frames. Yes, I think it would be good to obtain frames from one of these stores - most likely they will have the same style available for a longer period of time.

Rich (perc-o-prince): As with suggestions in previous posts, I'm starting to be less attracted to the lamination process. Yes, these vintage ads are mainly for my own enjoyment. However, if and when my collection is handed off to the next collector, I'd like the ads related to each machine to go with that machine. So I'd better plan further ahead and take the archivist viewpoint. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[vintagehoover]

Well, I won't be parting with my ads any time soon, and I'm not planning on lingering, either