Military letter and Historical photo... help framing/preserving.

Hello,

I just signed into this forum because I need some guidance/advice on how to best preserve an historical photo and letter which are both military in nature.
These are truly historical items and I need to store them properly and display them right.
However, I have no idea where to begin my search so I thought I'd ask you fine folks for some guidance.

I would like to mount and display the letter and photo side by side. Also, anything I need to do to preserve there longevity would be helpful.

Thank you!

 

A good frame shop that is use to dealing with historical documents would probably be able to help you. You will definitely want to use acid free matting etc. & some type of glass that reflects the light.

Possibly call a local museum or historical society & see if they can recommend anyone.

 

Welcome!

 

Hi and WELCOME, RFK!!!!! Or if these were seriously valuable historic military items, you could always have them carefully copied for framing and display, and then properly archive the originals......Just an alternative option, mind you, that's all!!!

 

Indeed the best way.

 

That's what I was thinking too. A good camera and a light tent and natural lighting can get the job done. Some things shouldn't be scanned due to the high intensity light. Then you can print the front and back of the letter separately and frame with both sides showing instead of having to do a float frame or similar.

 

Or if these were seriously valuable historic military items, you could always have them carefully copied for framing and display, and then properly archive the originals......Just an alternative option, mind you, that's all!!!

They are probably correct about using copies rather than the originals. However, if you are set on using the real items please do get some expert in-person help so as to preserve them correctly.

 

Hmmm.... I really like the idea of copying the originals and displaying the copies. Protecting these items for history is my primary concern. Seems like the obvious thing to do now that it has been pointed out. I think I will go that direction.

Can anyone provide advice on acid-free envelopes or folders, etc. in order to protect the items for storage? Links to further reading or vendors would be much appreciated.

 

Can you show us the items? You've got us curious now. If not just mention some highlights.

 

Can anyone provide advice on acid-free envelopes or folders, etc. in order to protect the items for storage? Links to further reading or vendors would be much appreciated.

Again I am sure you could get this information from a local historical society or museum.

 

Any good art supply store will have the right stuff. Archival scrapbooking materials are all acid/lignin free. Dick Blick, Brodart, etc. In a pinch, you can get sleeves and the like from a place like Hobby Lobby or Michael's. If in Canada, I googled up a Canadian supplier too: http://globalgenealogy.com/archival/

 

Not for nothing (that's my Long Island Italian talking), but my family had scads of this type of thing, and working off of past experience of inherited but then not cared for items, we took the most precious and those with the most historical value and had them reproduced and framed. The originals went to historical societies and museums, we kept the framed copies, and the historical societies and museums paid to have the copies made and framed in exchange. That way we kept the "history alive in the family" and we knew that if someone inherited the copies and tossed them it was no great loss to posterity.

I just mentioned this on another thread regarding a letter from Florence Nightingale's mother!

 

Whoo Hoo!!! SMART THINKING Mansons!!!!!!!!

 

In retrospect, it was a VERY smart thing to do..............none of us could have foreseen how our lives would turnout (and the US in this case includes about 40 people)...............and as it turns out, when I pop off everything here will probably go into a dumpster/kip - there is no one left, PERIOD. Not just no one who cares or not, just no one left.......................

 

last of a dying breed.........so sad.....

 

Thanks everyone for your comments, advice and experiences. You have given me the info I need to do the right thing by the items.

I don't want to post the items. It is a photo of a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier about to take off and join the mission Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan right after 9/11 and a letter from the rear admiral, commander of the battle group.
There is historical significance in the content of both aside from just being a letter and photo.