Thoughts on laminating authentication letters, capture papers, etc

[markbritt]

Was wondering what the general concensous is on laminating capture papers and letters of authenticity in regards to historical firearms? I have recently purchased a Luger and Nambu that I the owner sign letters indicating the history of these arms as they were battlefield pickups of off prisoners. I was thinking of laminating them for future sake. Just wondered what the thoughts are.
Mark

[John Sabato]

I beleive that if it were me, that I would make copies of the letters to laminate and keep with the weapon... and put the original letters in safe keeping with your other important documents. Should aging affect the lamination, you would lose your original document forever if you seal it...

Just my $0.02

[congaman]

I agree with John. Original documents to me, mean that they are in "original" condition, not laminated. I would never do it. Scott

[Ron Wood]

Put them in a clear, sealable plastic bag. It serves the same purpose as laminating, i.e. protecting the paper from handling damage and oxidation, and the originality of the document is not diminished. For large, letter sized documents I put them in clear document protectors that you can get at any office supply store.r

[Edward Tinker]

If older documents, buy special "page" holders that help the document from deterioating.

Laminating will ruin the document or its historical aspects. I did this with some things when young and learned my lesson, the document will age, yellow etc and there is no way to save it.


Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

Both Ron & Ed have excellent suggestions. the document will age, yellow etc and there is no way to save it.

Ed's statement above is all too true. Paper made in 1945 was acid based and will eventually deteriorate. Simply crumble away. Storage is important. Dark, dry & cool. I would Google search methods to preserve acid paper to get specifics.

Jerry Burney

[markbritt]

Guys:

Thanks for the information. I will copy these and laminate the copies - keep the originals in the safe.

Mark

[bobcam1]

Be sure that the bag that you seal the document in, is made from Mylar. A regular plastic bag will cause the document to become brittle and more yellowed, in time.
If you want to really preserve the documents, put a piece of acid-free mat inside the bag, as well.]

I've had good luck finding all of these materials at local framing shops that do archival work, but archival-grade mylar bags can be found at many vendors online.

I have used a couple of websites, successfully:

http://www.universityproducts.com/ca...d=1271&navTree[]=1271&navTree[]=1334

and.....

http://www.talas-nyc.com/

Talas has GREAT information on the care and storage of MANY of the items that we collect.

Good luck,
Bob.

(NOTE: I am not affiliated with either of these companies)....

[suum cuique]

I would keep them as they are and would make a nice color scan of the documents. This allows you to reprint them whenever you need a hardcopy and allows you to send send them by email, too.

[andyman]

Hi guys,
Not to bring up a topic from the dead, but how about using a food sealer like this? :
http://www.foodsaver.com/Index.aspx

It would keep all oxygen out and there's no glue/adhesive to damage the paper after you decide to take it out by curring the seal.

andy

[Edward Tinker]

IF YOU FIRST TREAT THE PAPER

I know that my brother in law uses a special chemical that does not harm the paper but stops the acid from further deterioating any more. Plus, i would check and see if the constant contact of the plastic of the food sealer is deterimental to old paper. It may suck the air out and preserve many items, but might not be good for old paper items?


ed