What could cause it?

[Yubari]

What could cause such deteroriation?
This comes from attic. There were 5 award documents from one soldier and 5 awards. EK2 ribbon lost some coloured threads. Black threads look just fine.
I dont think its connected with wet condition as EK2 and other awards are somehow fine. Maybe some bug?

[Hank C.]

Seeing as how it looks like the white & red threads are woven over the black, perhaps very light rubbing/motion over the years? Vibration of some sort, maybe?

Post the other stuff - would be great to see the docs & so forth!

best
H

[Element7]

To me it looks like insect damage. Could be the bug didn't like the black dyes or maybe there was some starchy adhesive on the ribbon that the bug went after.

Kirby

[Stepdale]

Yubari,
Having spent some time in your neck of the woods and seeing a lot of attic finds, I tend to agree with Kirby on what caused the ribbon damage. Regardless, that appears to be a nice cross. Is it a W&H?

Also would love to see the whole group posted.
Dale

[Yubari]

I have sealed the documents, awards are fine.
I am happy this soldiers story wont be forgotten.

[Erickn]

Hello Yubari,
Very nice group and good on you for saving it. Please see attached EK2 1914 ribbon in my collection showing a similar condition. The existing moth damage on reverse left me with the impression the front side may have suffered damage from the same, or perhaps a different bug plus aging???
Kind regards,
E.

[Hank C.]

I have sealed the documents, awards are fine.
I am happy this soldiers story wont be forgotten.

Thanks for posting! Sad the condition, but as you say - he won't be forgotten.

Best
H

[Yubari]

Thank you for sharing Erik. Then it is clear. Another example with good cross but ribbon with same damage. Those bugs!

[tystgaard]

Be sure thats nothing still live in the ribbons. It would not be good to get something unwanted back to the collection. BR Nicolai

[Element7]

I have sealed the documents, awards are fine.
I am happy this soldiers story wont be forgotten.

Can you imagine a world where no one cares about this stuff. His history is worth preserving no matter it's condition or what country or capacity he served. Glad to see someone saved this lot with the award docs. Well done
Kirby

[Stepdale]

Well done, Yubari. Nice little grouping and a 1945 awarded EK2 is always cool. Too bad the 1 OKT medal is missing but there may be a piece or two of its award document in the mix as well. I would put the ribbons In tightly sealed plastic bags and let them sit in the freezer for a month or so just to ensure any bugs are killed.
Dale

[Yubari]

Thank you dale!
Exactly what I thought.. I hope it can kill them and not just to make them hybernate!

[AndyC]

Nice little group that have been in bad storage.


Andy

[tystgaard]

Thank you dale!
Exactly what I thought.. I hope it can kill them and not just to make them hybernate!

Someone said to me freezer for some days then out in the warm for a day and in again for some days

[Gardereiter]

Please see attached EK2 1914 ribbon in my collection showing a similar condition. The existing moth damage on reverse left me with the impression the front side may have suffered damage from the same, or perhaps a different bug plus aging?

The advantage I have in speaking German is that I get to read a lot of research material that goes into excruciating detail about "Stuff." One of these was about award ribbons just like yours.

Your EK ribbon was not attacked by bugs. It is not worn from use or age. This bar was made from an EK ribbon produced sometime in the 1920s when a few ribbon manufacturers were saving money by using an experimental technique involving painting the white stripes onto the black ribbon known as heat-transfer-printing... this instead of weaving-in longitudinal white-colored thread. In other words, the white paint on your black ribbon simply flaked-off in certain places.







.