How to prepare hat for long term storage.

[The Wiser Hatter]

How to prepare a hat for long term storage.
Thought I would post this for those who have hats in a collections.
From the National Archives.
http://todaysdocument.tumblr.com/post/45498446822

 

[rlk]

Thanks Ed.

Those "Archival" boxes are even more expensive than fancy hat boxes unfortunately.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Yes they are Robert but for the items in the National Archives I guess it is worth it.
Besides you are "Our" Anex of the National Archives.

 

[Walt]

Does anyone know where they get their box material? I assume it is some kind of paperboard (cardboard) that is cut and folded to form boxes.

If the box doesn't have tight sealing at the joint and cover (lid) then moths could get in. Sure would be interesting to know more on how they build the boxes.

 

[alanfgag]

From Light Impressions... not for open crowns, though.

 

[rlk]

From Light Impressions... not for open crowns, though.

From a group that left Light Impressions that is more reliable...
http://www.archivalmethods.com/Product.cfm?categoryid=1&Productid=551

No good storage boxes for full-size hats.[huh]

 

[Walt]

Good info Gentlemen.

Most likely someone else makes the boxes for both outfits (perhaps the same maker)--not clear from their websites to me if they are the makers or just sellers. Could probably have larger sizes made. Might be a minimum order though so unless there was high demand may not be practical.

Now obviously if something touches the cardboard it could be damaged from acid or other chemicals in the paper, but I wonder how much out-gassing can come from the paper.

Seems to me a sealed plastic bag to put the hat in and perhaps changed every few years would work just fine with any box for most storage cases most of us would need..

Now for hats that are so old, say more than 100 years, which might be very fragile because of their age in which case they would never be worn or handled or hats with high historical value then this sort of route may make more sense. Not sure it would otherwise.

I wonder what hats they have other than the one mentioned---Red Cross uniforms.

 

[Walt]

Found this on the archive site:

I bet they do have a lot of great old hats...