Guide to collectible papers and ephemera, including categories, storage, maintenance and care.
Collectible papers fall into a category referred to as ephemera. Ephemera are collections of paper items, which include a wide variety of products from advertisements to valentines. Other categories include calendars, chromos, greeting cards, letters, magazines, photographs, postcards, posters, sheet music, and more. If it is made of paper, it can be classified as ephemera, from items such as paper dolls, to the paper bands on individual cigars.
Often what makes one item of paper collectible over another that is nothing more than trash is personal interest. A sheaf of papers, that at first glance does not appear to be of collectible stature, could show itself to be highly coveted upon closer inspection. It could be early work of a now famous author, music notes from a sought after composer, recipes from you grandmother in her very own handwriting. The point being that the term collectible is highly suggestive.
Old letters between fiends or lovers, letters home from a son or daughter at war, or from someone off traveling and sending letters home. These and any other reason a letter or set of letters were written could be considered ephemera if someone shows an interest in collecting them.
Early calendars, greeting cards, and valentines are popular forms of collectible paper. Considered art by many of those who collect them, they are often displayed for their visual presence.
Advertisements, magazines, and posters are often sought for their reference to times past. Prices and material outlook of things change so often that old examples remind collectors of the good old days.
Care of Collectible Papers
Ephemera are wonderful things to collect. That is until you pull out your collection one day to show someone and you discover that your prized possessions are covered in small and not so small brown spots. Referred to as foxing, it is believed to be caused by one of papers biggest enemies, moisture. Mold growth can also be present and is difficult if not impossible to repair. Like a virus, mold seems to spread from one book to another if left unchecked. The lesson to be learned is that paper collectibles need to be stored under exact conditions.
If on display, items should not be in direct sunlight, as UV rays will damage paper as quickly as if you set a match to them. Avoid any type of direct lighting including fluorescent bulbs.
If kept in storage, paper will best be preserved if kept in a cool, dark, relatively dry location. Humidity is often discussed when talking about storing ephemera, and the consensus is to shoot for 35 percent relative humidity and a temperature below 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
When deciding on a storage place, avoid rooms in your house that can be damp at different times of the year, even slightly damp, such as basements and bathrooms. Attics are to be avoided for the opposite reason, heat. As heat rises, it must go somewhere, and attics are where the hottest temperatures are.
Dirt and dust are foes in many households. As with any sensitive item, they can be damaging to paper. Oils from our hands can also cause irreparable damage, so make sure to clean and thoroughly dry your hands before handling any part of your collection.
Thanks in part to the growing field of scrap booking; new items hitting the market are providing storage and handling choices for our paper collectibles, such as acid free storage boxes, envelopes, and mounting corners, even acid free mounting boards for increased display options.
