Hello, I have a few tunics that I like to keep in a display closet but am concerned about my use of hangers on them. I try to use cloth wrapped hangers, but I'm beginning to wonder if it is OK to use them at all. And if I can't use hangers then how should I display/store them?
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Hangers of any type are NOT recomended to keep a tunic on for longer than 2 days. Go to your closet, and look at a shirt, or suit that has been on that hanger for a month or two. What does it look like. That thin wire, or wood, or plastic hanger is holding the entire weight of that tunic. Even the best padded hangers are stressing out the fabric around the shoulders neck area, and back. The hanger will in tine shred the lining. The best thing to do is not have a tunic on a mannequin longer that 4 months. You don't want to stress out the fabric weave, or seams, or lining. The mannequin should be a style for tunics well padded not store refurbished one. Storage should be in a acidfree box. not in a cardboard box. Read some of the threads below yours on storage and acidfree boxes. I could have bought a lot of tunics over the years, but I pass on the because of poor storage or hung on wire hangers for 30-60 years. Nothing like a wire inprint on the shoulders, and shreded interior. Hope this helps
We spend a lot of money on our hobby. Spend a few more dollars to preserve history. Think Conservation -
Excellent advice again, Paul. I was thinking of much the same myself, but I sure couldn't have said it better.
I would also expect that the forces of gravity over time, pulling on fabrics and threads would indeed not be the ideal form of storage. It's just always so unfortunate that the most practical forms of storage and/or display are rarely what's best for the preservation of anything.
Oh well, I've almost gotten used to all this now anyway. Sometimes, I even avoid buying things simply because it's not archivally safe to display or store them the way I want or need. All that just becomes too much trouble for the expense involved. Worse yet, storing it archivally often means that you can't even display it safely for any length of time--as in the case of storing uniforms in archival boxes as opposed to out on a mannequin.
Here's yet another example of the "inconvenient truthes" about conservation.
Chris
Last edited by Stahlhelm; 01-06-2008, 10:14 PM.Comment
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But its so hard to admire them from a box
What if I folded them in a glass box of some type, or pressed them behind glass and hung them on the wall? Would those be ok?Comment
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I think if you put fabric behind glass, then there's some other problem with condensation and/or fabric gases coming out and leeching colors from everything, or something like that...However, I do know that there's another thread in this section somewhere that deals with the related subject of no no's about storing cloth insignia that way, behind and against the glass of Riker Mounts. I'm sure that the dangers would apply equally well, in the case of your uniforms pressed behind glass.Originally posted by K98_1942 View PostBut its so hard to admire them from a box
What if I folded them in a glass box of some type, or pressed them behind glass and hung them on the wall? Would those be ok?
That's exactly the horrible "inconvenient truth" I'm talking about.
This whole conservation thing sometimes makes me want to scream just like this...
....and then do this....
It really seems that after a certain point of "inconvenient truthes", you just have to throw your hands in the air, then put them over your ears, and do what you need to do to satisfy yourself within your lifetime--specifically your time on this earth to enjoy the collectibles upon which you've spent your very hard-earned money and time.
I know I'm beginning to sound a bit rebellious and out of conservationist character at this point, but this whole thing is really giving me a bit of a split personality, I think, along with a very BIG headache. My subconscioness (or maybe overtly conscious need) to see and enjoy what I collect, in the most satisfying and realistic way is in direct confllict with all these archival awareness issues. Maybe sometimes you just have to be selfish and say, "I don't care if anyone has a chance to have it after me, when I'm gone, just so long as I get to enjoy it myself, NOW!" I know fully well that I've just committed conservation heresy here, but I just had to get that out.
Now, my other personality is trying to take charge and force me to hide everything away in boxes again, so that everyone else can hang them on a mannequin and enjoy them, after I die...
As you can well see, I am really struggling with my two personalities at this point, and I'm not sure which one is ultimately going to rule. I'll have to update you later. In the meantime, good luck in your struggles. I know how you feel. Sometimes, as they say, ignorance is truly bliss.
Sincerely,
Chris
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I doubt if condensation would be a problem where I live since its desert dry, but that glass gas issue is still there. maybe theres a glass thats made to be archival that won't do that?Comment
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Chris, I couldn't have said it any better. As a conservator and collector. I also struggle with the same delemia on collecting and preserving what I have. There is always a good sound way to display items that we cherish. Rather than putting something together hazardly. Next time you are at a large museum carefully look at displayed items. It's not that hard or costly to do. Like I have said before most of this is good comon sense. I do put things on display in the correct way. Correct padding on a good mannequin. Paying attention to light out gassing, and room enviroment. I also rotate items as not to stress them, and of course making sure that the irem is strong enough to display. I'll share a point of sale story with you. A while back I had two almost identical Heer tunics. that I was looking to sell. One was in poor shape. The previous owner had is stored poorly. Some fading from sunlight a few very small and large pin/staple holes were he pinded it into a shadow box frame The other one was in excellent shape with no pin holes, sun fading. I had the side by side to sell at my friends table. The better one I was $400.00 more. Which one sold first? The better one. The faded one took 3 months of shows to sell. I also view my collection as an investment. If I ever need to sell it. I want to know that I can get top $$ for it. THERE NOT MAKING ANY MORE OF THIS VINTAGE STUFF
. It's like I've said before. We spend a lot of MONEY on our hobby. Spend a few dollars more to perserve YOUR investment. It pays off in the long run. Paul
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Not arguing that flat, climate controlled, bug free, dark storage is the ideal way to store textiles long term.
But I've often heard of the evils of coat hangers and I'd think that if hangers were a dangerous way to store a jacket or a coat, and since hangers are probably the most common way to store jackets and coats, we'd be seeing many jackets and coats witih split shoulder seams. "Hanger damage" isn't even a collector term, though we do have "shelf wear."
I've seen all sorts of damage due to poor long term storage, from mothing to fading to rodent chews, wet rot, dry rot, stains from contacting acidic or damp wallpaper and so on. I've even seen rust damage in the shoulders from long term storage on coat hangers that got damp from condensation.
But I've yet to see more than a couple of otherwise intact tunics with exploded shoulder seams (combination of rot, plus hanger I think). And for sure, fleece jackets don't do well on a hanger. On the other hand, I know of WW1 era tunics that have been stored on same vintage wood hangers now for almost a hundred years, and they look like new.
Bottom line, based on my observations I'm a lot more concerned with light, atmospheric conditions and cleanliness than to hang or not to hang.
DaveComment
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I run across the same tunics on occaision that I saw back in the 70s-80s and they have been in closets and on mannequins for years with no advers noticeable effects..I imagine after 100 years normal decay takes a toll.Ive seen US Ike jackets that hung in closets for 60+ years in absolute mint condition. So it really depends on the climate I think more than the technique.Comment
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Since individual experiences often vary, I suppose there's also varying possibilities. I suppose...
In any case, I think it's a great idea to discuss things as esoteric as this, since it at least brings such issues to greater collector awareness. We can even learn that some people, for whatever reasons, seem to experience exceptions to the expectations. Next, if we can just figure out how to duplicate the odd-defying successes of others.
I would be greatly interested to know, possibly through a poll, just how most uniform collectors store their uniforms. My guess is that, despite what is considered best, most collectors of uniforms display them on mannequins. I know I've sure seen and heard about more of that than I have heard about them being stored in boxes. Although boxes are best, I just can't imagine that most collectors store them that way. It just seems too contrary to the major, primary need that most collectors have in collecting this stuff--to display them, show them off, see them easily, and know by daily visual experience that you do have such exceptional things. Not that I'm being the Devil's advocate here (well, maybe I am
), but I'd be willing to bet my last bit of disposable income that most of these treasures are not being given the royal conservationist treatment. What do you think?
Chris
Last edited by Stahlhelm; 01-07-2008, 09:02 PM.Comment
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i have my tunics on both and covered in clear light bags window is blacked out a bout ever second week i give a light going over with vacuum . gloves with docs and daggers in winter i use a dehumidifier .but after reading this yesterday i had a panic attack about my tunics
but i think i need to do more with aced free paper and such. i know a guy who had a generals tunic in a box and when he open it the moths a had a party on it .i am rethinking about what to do after reading some of this
its been a week of me going over thinks this week IN A MADE PANIC after some topics .i dont know about some of you but man do i jump off the chair and run in to the room when i read some thing new . AS LONG AS THE TUNICS AND GEAR IS FINE WHO CARES IF THE HOUSE BURNS DOWN
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Judas:Originally posted by judas View Posti have my tunics on both and covered in clear light bags window is blacked out a bout ever second week i give a light going over with vacuum . gloves with docs and daggers in winter i use a dehumidifier .but after reading this yesterday i had a panic attack about my tunics but i think i need to do more with aced free paper and such. i know a guy who had a generals tunic in a box and when he open it the moths a had a party on it .i am rethinking about what to do after reading some of this
its been a week of me going over thinks this week IN A MADE PANIC after some topics .i dont know about some of you but man do i jump off the chair and run in to the room when i read some thing new . AS LONG AS THE TUNICS AND GEAR IS FINE WHO CARES IF THE HOUSE BURNS DOWN
Believe me! I know how you feel.
Yes. As you may know, all this stuff has been driving me crazy for some time as well.
I've only recently begun to cope with it to any extent, mostly because I believe I've already done everything possible to deal with conserving what I currently have. Finally, there's really not much else I can do. I'd advise you to just learn all you can about it, do the best you can to preserve it properly, and don't worry anymore. However, I guess I'm not exactly the best one to give that advice...
Good luck!
Chris
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yep its your fault i am jumping up and down but its a topic that needs to be put forwardOriginally posted by Stahlhelm View PostJudas:
Believe me! I know how you feel.
Yes. As you may know, all this stuff has been driving me crazy for some time as well. I've only recently begun to cope with it to any extent, mostly because I believe I've already done everything possible to deal with conserving what I currently have. Finally, there's really not much else I can do. I'd advise you to just learn all you can about it, do the best you can to preserve it properly, and don't worry anymore. However, I guess I'm not exactly the best one to give that advice...
Good luck!
Chris
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Yes, Judas, I agree! I'm just glad that you don't mind jumping up and down for a while. I guess the most constructive way to think about it is as a little exercise, maybe...Originally posted by judas View Postyep its your fault i am jumping up and down but its a topic that needs to be put forward
However, just think how peaceful it'll be once you figure it all out.
Chris
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i have found in some case's with armbands if you do not pick them up and just keep them flat for a long time they end up with a crease down both sides that will take a very long time to get out thats why i think tunics keeped just flat could end up with same issueComment
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