How do you display medals and patches?

[ChrisCook]

I'd like to see some member ideas of how they attach medals inside display cases. Also, here' s my specific quandry, I have quite a few patches I'd like to display. My current effort has been to put them inside of poster frames, I have "double sided" sticky tape and attached them to posterboard, however that method has a problem, inevitably every couple years I have to take them appart to reattach the one or two patches that have came loose. I'm open to suggestions for a better method. I have also seen folks who have attached patches to index cards with staples, with breif descriptions off to the side, an interesting idea, but I would rather have them displayed on the wall. Chris...

[all1knew]

Hello,

Well I just bought a display case like this and the patches and medals work just fine.

http://members.aol.com/janiew48/wood.html

William Kramer

[Steve Campbell]

Use Riker cases or any case that closes up and traps the items between the glass and the back of the case. If the items move around put some bubble wrap or cardboard under the backing that comes with the case or a cloth one you cut yourself. Using tape and stuff is never a good idea on items. Heres a picture of two such cases hung on my wall. One has some wound badges in it and the other has a document grouping. All items are just arranged in the case and then the door is closed and the case is hung on the wall. The items are not attached in any way.

[Marc Garlasco]

My collection is nicely displayed inside a safe...

[Steve Campbell]

If I have to stick it away in a safe how can I enjoy it?

[PZIV]

Detolf my friend, detolf!

[Steve Campbell]

Yes, a Detolf cabinet is very handy for this hobby but it's not optimum for medals and patches. I've seen it used for medals and it looked good but you need alot of those plastic medal stands and there is still alot of empty space. Not sure how it would work for patches. The cases I suggest would take up less space and cost less.

[W.Unland]

Hello,

I too use the "riker frames' but the thicker ones. I use small sewing pins to "hold up" heavier items like badges. I put a piece of wool felt over the fiberglass padding that comes with the cases and the felt holds patches in place quite nicely. I do not recommend foam backing as this "weeps" solvants which can discolor patches. Ideally an unbleached natural cloth should be used, but I like the color contrast so I take a chance with the green felt.

I would NOT recommend this for any paper items. Moisture will form under the glass and eventually destroy photos or paper. Photos should never touch the glass. I use scans of photos for my displays. Also you have to remember that display will eventually lead to oxidation and fading. These things should not be hung where direct sunlight hits them.

That said, a safe is a nice place, but I don't collect this stuff to hide it away. If it is purely an "investment" then I guess a safe deposit box is what you need, but in my case these things are for MY enjoyment and I like to look at them, and I display them accordingly.

Here is one of my riker frames:

Regards,
Bill Unland

[W.Unland]

Here is another with some heavy items. They are sitting atop pins to keep them from shifting. It has worked pretty well for me.

[CWP]

Awesome displays Bill!

[Allan P.]

Great displays!

For cloth patches try poster frames, glass and clip frames.

Allan

[Mooyman]

Hi,

Some ideas...












Best regards,

Ricardo.

[ChrisCook]

Display

Great displays!

For cloth patches try poster frames, glass and clip frames.

Allan

That's what I have done, attaching the patches to posterboad inside the frames with double sided sticky tape, but eventually they give way....any better tape or method of adhering the patches w/o doing damage to them? Chris...