Gassing Out! The Terror holding your Award!

[WEISNER]

Greeting Gang, I have given this out gassing problem thought while trying to figure out how to display my Crosses, Badges, Dagger and the rest of it all.
A thought crossed my mind.... What about the three EK1's sitttiing bagged up in thier award box's?
What are the effects of the Horse based glue? The different fibers and chemicals in the fabric's and covering, and the Paper and Wood these cases are made of?
Probably not that bad eh? I assume the EK's... which are in great shape have not been affected much in 70 years by this pfenom known as "Out Gassing" from the award case?
Any other member have a thought?
Reading here... I would assume a solid glass case that is airtight or very close is the way to go!
But then again should we worry very much? The answer I am sure is yes!
But what about the actual box the award came in question?
Kevin

[WhitePhantom]

Hope you have some free time...

Here's a recent thread with some opinions

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=294499

[Stahlhelm]

Hi, Kevin:

Before I comment too extensively, I want to make sure I understand this correctly. Are you saying that you have three EK1's that have been bagged-up for 70 years, in their original cases, which currently show no adverse effects from out-gassing?

If the above is correct, then you could have the example of examples for us to consider here.

Chris

[blinky]

After 60+ years off gassing shouldn't be much of an issue. The two things you should watch out for is a contact reaction between the medal and the box which can be easily taken care of by making a simple barrier of tyvek between the two (if you are concerned enough about that). The other thing to watch out for is environment. One of the best ways to keep that in check is to use acid detecting A-D strips and polished lead and/or silver strips to check for acids in the environment the medals are in. You can also use these to check if the cases themselves are out gassing and to what degree they may be. The A-D strips use a type of sodium salt to show the presence of acid and are used to detect acids such as those released by adhesives, paper, textiles, wood products and plastics and can give a result in about a week depending on the concentration or amount of off gassing. Lead strips will turn white in the presence of organic acid fumes as well from wood, wood pulp paper, oils and oil based paints or lacquers. Silver strips turn black in the presence of sulfer fumes produced from deteriorating rubber, wool, and latex. Both of these metals can give results in about one month.

I think the first step is to determine if there is a problem in the first place. If it's decided that there is then you worry about how to manage it. It may be simple such changing the type of case the object is displayed in or even adding a scavenger material that will absorb any components of off gassing and limit the harm that it might do to the object.

[Paul R.]

kevin, The best advice is to educate yourself by reading previous threads. Out gassing is very real and it is every were. Sometimes you can not see effects on things until it's too late. The forum is here to educate not to make some stop collecting, or drive anyone into a state of paranoia. In the collecting field the end result would be. To have a collection, and to help preserve your items for the future. To keep them in the best possible condition. These items are an investment of time and money. These items will only reach high dollar resell value if they are well taken care of. I think that I can speak for most members here on this. When a collector make a discision to buy and item (myself included) I will most likely will pass on an item if it is in poor shape from previous collectors neglect. I like most don't have a boat load of money to buy things. I would rather wait until a better one is available. A better care for item will only increase in value faster than a neglected item.
The glass case is good. If like the Ikea case in an earlier posting has a slight gapping between the edges that good for air flo. A good point is to keep a watch on your items.
Bliny makes a good point on other aids in helping keep your safe.
A fellow collector/friend of mine once stated They are not making any more of this stuff collect smartly and wise. Paul

[bobcam1]

[WEISNER]

Thanks Guy's! All good stuff here.
Kev