Displaying Medals

[Richardxyz]

I was thinking about the best way to store and display my medals. Does anyone have any preferences? I know of archive envelopes as a safe way to store awards without exposing them to harmful chemicals but that is not aesthetically pleasing. Plastic envelopes can be toxic. Mahogany is favoured by coin collectors, but expensive. What do other people use, I was thinking of buying a glass topped drawer, where I can view medals and store them in a safe environment.

[George Stimson]

Most of mine are in Riker cases.

George

[Tim B.]

Display Cases

Richard,

I use a small glass top display case. Try these two sites and see if you see something that might be of interest.
Tim

http://www.customdisplays.com/index.html

IndianRiver-Wood

[Richardxyz]

Thanks, much appreciated they were excellent sites just what I need, I had previously looked at some websites in the UK and they were selling plasticy trays with perspex for $45 which is very poor value and does not do the medals any justice. Those display cases on the US websites look a lot better, i think I need to spend a bit on shipping though!

[Brian R]

R-

Take a look at this company as well. I bought a case from them about six months ago and so far I'm very pleased with it.

http://www.allstatemfgco.com/

Best,
Brian

[Brian R]

I bought a case from the folks below a while back and I am very happy with it.

http://www.allstatemfgco.com/

However, I want to separate my cased Iron Cross First Classes in a different case and I want to display them with the EK case lid open. All the cases I have seen that are similar to what I've purchased are either 2 or 3 inches deep. Can someone point me in the direction of a case source that has similar cases to the ones below but are 4 or 5 inches deep? I can't get anything too big as I live in Brooklyn and my space is quite limited. Any help is appreciated.

Brian

[Bill M]

--Are you handy, could you make your own? I ask because I had the same problem (living in Brooklyn and wanting my cases displayed opened!). It's 6 inches deep, the top displays medals and at the bottom I installed a tilted glass shelf to put the cases on (with a stopper, so they don't slide off). If you have a lot of cases, I guess you could add more glass shelves.

[Sebastian Bianchi]

Hey Bill, I'm finally going to start a project to redo my office and would like to build some display some cases, can I see a full shot of yours?

Right now I have my collection in wooden cases with a glass top, but like Brian had the EK/KVK case problem.

Seba

[Tom Y]

I use old picture frames. A lot of them are "safe woods and by adding on to the back you can get a "shadow box" effect. Archival foam core covered with fabric in the proper color makes great backing, and I hang them in a hallway away from sunlight. It's cheap, attractive, and so far I've had no problems. Toggles and hinges make them easily accessible and stainless hooks made of fishing leader wire make them easily removable. It'sgreat for displaing medals and doc's together, too.

[Bill M]

--Here's the full shot of the case. The case below it is a combined case/bookshelf. I made another of these for my Napoleonics, let me find the pic...

[Bill M]

--OK, I thought I had a full shot of this one. It has one bookshelf above and one below the display...

[Bill Gracie]

G'day Bill,

nice display cases. How have you mounted the badges and medals on the Wall mounted display case.

It looks as if you have cut slots into the backing board, I'm I correct.

That is the sort of display case that I'm looking at building

Regards,
Bill

[Bill M]

--I cut holes into the backing board (pegboard would've been easier), stretched the velvet over it and threaded cloth/elastic cord through the holes. Each row is one cord, over and under - not small individual pieces. Actually, I think it is all one long cord.
--The backing is removable, which is good because I am planning on putting in the burgundy velvet that I used in the others. I plan on selling most of the 3rd Reich medals and replacing them with my current Imperials (& then a few additions!). In my opinion, the burgundy looks better with Imperial bars and such.

[Brian R]

Bill-

Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I'm not very handy. I think I could build something, but certainly not as nice as what you've shown. My problem is not only space, it's the fact that my wife doesn't relly want this stuff in plain view (even the Imperial stuff). I'm lucky enough she accepts my hobby at all.

We actually live in a 1 bedroom apt. in Park Slope. Currently my collection is displayed in a case but it's in my closet. When I want to check out my collection I just pull the case from the top shelf. It's kind of a pain in the ass but I keep telling myself it's temporary. We certainly won't be living in such a small apt. forever, but this is pretty much the way I have to deal with it for now. Everything will change when I, some day, have my own room. Maybe in about three years or so.

I have a small case that I used to use a long time ago before my collection got too big. It was actually my Uncle's as he is a collector of Fisherman's lures etc. I've been playing around with it lately just to get an idea as to how to display the open EK lids. I'll post a picture below to give you an idea (although the image doesn't do a very good job of showing the shape of the case - I'll try to take another picture).

Thanks again for replying and keep up the good work on your collection. You have some really great stuff.

Brian

[Calvin Hall]

Bill M,

That is a very attractive display. I thnk I may go after the same look.

You built this display yourself? Very nice work.

Just curious...how deep is the case that is mounted to the wall?

Calvin