How Do You Store Large Items?

For years I have left unopened the large space sheet which purchased. However, the packing is not archival quality. How do you display/protect such a large item?

If you crumple it up, you can safely store it in an archival quality sandwich baggie

Ok, maybe not.

Up till now, I've avoided buying anything that won't fit on an 8.5 by 11 page inserted into page protectors. But sooner or later, I'm going to have the same question.

I have some uncut press sheets also. I have let others that asked that there are large archival manila carrying cases that are available at art supply stores. These are usually used for transporting or storing artists drawings or paintings and are available in many sizes. I have a couple of these in the closet stored away. Hope it helps.

This is one example here.

This site has some just to give you a idea.
http://www.storemorestore.com/archi...ge-s/382.htm

Thx for the tip, 1775mac. I had looked in office supply stores, but didn't think of looking in art stores. Now I know where I am going Saturday!

I've been a long advocate of this product:

http://www.artprofolio.com/Art_profolio.htm

You can get them in sizes up to 18" x 24" (poster size) and if you shop the craft store coupons, sometimes you can pick them up for 40% to 50% off of retail price. They have worked well for me in storing posters/prints, unfolded aerogrammes, oversized covers, presentation folders, etc., etc., and they are quite sturdy.

If you want to do this cheaply, here's another way to go:

Find some large cardboard boxes, tear them apart where they are glued together and you should have some large pieces of cardboard. Measure your stamps (above). Make two pieces of cardboard just a few inches larger than your stamps. Tape the two pieces of cardboard together so they form a pouch into which you can place your stamps. If you've ever had to mail stamps, this is the same type of assembly, only on a larger scale. Be creative!

I re-read your post. This isn't what I would call "archival" quality but perhaps you could find some other archival product to cover the sheet, or use an archival misting product.

The other option is to use a mailing tube. I had one space sheet stored in one for about a year and it had no damage.

Let us know how it goes!

Just a warning about stamphound's suggestion. Using tape of any type will eventually damage any stamp that comes into contact with it as the glue will leach from the tape into the stamp. Here's an example from my mid-1950's use of scotch tape to seal the unsealed edges of early stamp mounts. The glue damage appears as a dark spot in the white bottom margin of the stamp. My error destroyed many mint stamps, including high values, which were then only good for postage.

You are absolutely right! After I wrote that I kept scratching my head thinking, this wasn't right. So I took a look at how I've got my own (ahem) preserved.

I have the original cardboard these came on, but I assume the original poster doesn't have that, so I'll stick with my recommendation to find cardboard that is of the right size and make a sandwich of the two cardboard pieces and the stamps. Next, take some grocery bag paper and cut it into strips about 8 inches wide, fold it so it becomes 4 inches wide and use that to go around the cardboard. Tape the paper so it stays in place firmly around the edges of the cardboard. Now the stamps will only touch the cardboard and paper.

Sorry for the lengthy discombobulated explanation. BlackJag, you are absolutely right and thanks for catching my error.
It was my mistake to describe the tape and cardboard combination like I did. I was asleep while typing. At least I wasn't driving.

I have to admit I'm big on recycling. I live in Seattle where if something can be recycled, there will be a fine if it is thrown in the trash.

~~ Mary-Jane ~~

I have been wondering about a few of my larger items as well. I don't have any press sheets, though... This thread has me wondering where some of my stuff actually IS right now!!

I have a Press Sheet still in it's original tube.
But I still have no mount for my Seagram's State Capitals sheet.

Starting to bother me that I didn't pick something up in London.



Londonbus1

When the press sheets first came out I got them all, including Bugs with plate number, Caldwell and most of the others. I stored them in the mailing tubes and was going to do as has been suggested here. I highly recommend that they not be stored in tubes because they will curl and later on they won't lie flat.

However, I can't find the darn tubes! I still look for them every month or so, with no luck.

Art

I store my full sheets of stamps in loose leaf sheet files especially made for that. The are open on two sides and I think they had done a wonderful job of storing and protecting my sheets. These are larger than 8 1/2 by 11 but not for press sheets of course. They might work for you also.

Subway has some affordable archival sleeves of very vaying sizes. I have stored shees, letters and large ephemera in them. They advertise in Linn's Stamp News or on the web. - Jeff

Thx for the tip, jhlovell. I'll check them out.