Tips on preservation, storage and handling of postcards.
Storage conditions. Postcards should be properly stored at about 20 degrees Celsius with average humidity. Garages, sheds, attics and unheated cellars are not suitable for storage.
Climate. The temperature and humidity should be as constant as possible, there should not be sharp fluctuations, otherwise shattering may occur.
Air Humidity. Too much humidity promotes the formation of microorganisms and mold. The upper limit of relative humidity is considered in most cases between 65 and 80 percent. If the humidity is too low (less than 40 percent), the cardboard will become brittle, and cellulose fibers will become brittle. The ideal humidity should be about 50 to 60 percent.
Temperature. Temperatures above room temperature accelerate the breakdown and aging of postcards. When postcards are moved from a room with a low temperature to a room with a higher temperature, there is a danger of condensation.
Transparent Pocket. It is not advisable to touch the front of view postcards with your hands, if possible. Transparent pockets are available in different sizes. However, you should pay attention if these pockets do not contain plasticizers and acids, or they can be damaged during storage.
No plasticizers. Transparent pockets or album pockets should be free of certain chemicals that can come out over time and damage view postcards.
PVC. PVC polyvinyl chloride pockets are best avoided. Some people think PVC is harmless.
Folders. Storage folders should not contain acids or lignin, and the same goes for paper envelopes.
Light. It is advisable to keep postcards, if possible, in a place protected from light, otherwise they will fade. You should especially protect them from sunlight.
Traces of storage in an album. In old albums, in order to insert the view postcards, they often made four slits on each of them. Storage marks reduce the value of the item, as over a long period of storage in such old albums with slits there is a visible difference in brightness between the main part of the postcard and its corners which were inserted in the slits. Dents may also appear. To prevent this, albums should be stored upright.
Hygrometer. This is a measuring instrument for measuring air humidity and in most cases shows the relative humidity as a percentage.
Inscriptions. It is advisable to inscribe the cards with a soft pencil if possible and, of course, on the back, or better not to do it at all.
Other tips
Sort your collection. A collection becomes more visual if it is sorted by certain criteria. This is useful if you want to see something or find something in the collection.
Examples of criteria for sorting collections
- Postcards with stories can be separated from topographic postcards.
- Collections with local history motifs are sorted in most cases by localities and urban areas.
- Lithographic postcards are with lithographic postcards, and S/W with S/W.
- Individual subjects/themes, such as hotels, can be put together.
- Old postcards with old ones, new ones with new ones
- Sort postcards by format, etc.
How do you declutter old greeting cards?
Some people say that they have boxes of greeting cards that they never use. But, what are the best ways to declutter them?
The first step is to take a look at the cards and decide if you want to keep them for sentimental reasons. If you do, then go ahead and put them in a box or container and store them in a place where they are not easily seen. If you don’t want to keep them, then there are many ways to declutter old greeting cards. You can either throw the card away, recycle it or donate it.
How do you organize a lot of greeting cards?
With the new app, you can easily organize all of your greeting cards.
This app is designed to help people who are looking for a way to organize their greeting cards. You can use this app to create an account and then start adding your greeting cards. The app will automatically organize them by year, month, and occasion.
How can I organize my greeting cards at home?
Organizing greeting cards at home can be a challenge, even if you have a small collection. You can get creative with your storage and find some space to keep them in order, or you can just store them in a box.
The easiest way to organize greeting cards is to categorize them by occasion. That way you will know where to find the card that you are looking for when it’s time to send one out. You can use bookshelves, dividers, drawers, or any other method that works best for your space and needs.