Preserving a uniform

[mooke07]

Hi all,

I have purchased my first turn of the 20th century yeomanry uniform and only know some basic information about storage in a dry, cool storage container like an acid free archive box and paper. Noting different climatic conditions in Australia I would be obliged to any additional pointers as the uniform has shoulder chains, collar badges and buttons which some guides suggest removing and seperate storage. It also has leather gauntlets and leggings.

Guidance appreciated, cheers Dean

[Peter Brydon]

Dean.

What I am about to say may well be at odds with the professional advice you might receive,but I always feel that a uniform should, whenever possible, be displayed on a mannequin rather than hidden away in a plastic bag in a wardrobe.

I have had my uniforms displayed on mannequins in a warm, dry environment and well away from direct sunlight and they have been given a regular brushing with a stiff brush andhave been displayed like this for many years and they have never ( as far as I can see ) suffered any damage.

The biggest advantage with displaying uniforms in this way is that they can be enjoyed all the time.

Over to the experts to tell me what I am doing wrong.

Peter

[leigh kitchen]

If folded & wrapped, place acid free tissue type paper around buttons, bullion (advice given to officers "back in the day") & avoid moth balls & the like, in my experience they dull & tone bullion etc.
A google should throw up some advice (notably a Canadian museum site) on how to fold & store tunics.
I'm not brave enough to leave such garments exposed to the man cave elements, but there's no reason why not if you're on top of the inspection & dusting regime.

[mooke07]

Thanks Peter and Leigh for the advice and guidance. Yours are a terrific display Peter. I have had a look at the Canadian museum advice and it is quite a good guide. As it is a tropical climate I am reaching out locally to a museum curator for advice as well.

Several people have noted it is a good idea to freeze it for a day or so to kill any moths and eggs etc.

All fun researching, cheers and thanks again Dean.

[leigh kitchen]

I see the sense in freezing items in order to kill off pests but but don't do it, I don't like the idea of freezing buttons, badges, bullion, leather.
The attached photo shows that it may not be a good idea to take advice from me on storing & preserving militaria........
(Shelving pending).

[mooke07]

I do like when entropy prevails, thanks for leading by example Leigh. I like the one third from the right, second row.

Yes will hold off on freezing and am cleaning thoroughly as a first step, cheers Dean.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I see the sense in freezing items in order to kill off pests but but don't do it, I don't like the idea of freezing buttons, badges, bullion, leather.
The attached photo shows that it may not be a good idea to take advice from me on storing & preserving militaria........
(Shelving pending).

Leigh, i don't think you have enough hats there !
Andy

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

Dean.


Over to the experts to tell me what I am doing wrong.

Peter, your uniforms look fine but the mannequins are starting to acquire that white pasty look from being kept out of the sun. I think you should strip the uniforms at least weekly and stand the mannequins in the sun for several hours so they get their dose of Vitamin D and a good healthy tan befitting soldiers, not prisoners!

[badjez]

I hear someone tried putting them out for sun, but it rained (again). Tried a sun lamp but got pattern '37 strap marks. Wife wouldn't allow use of freezer so waited until winter frosts forecast.. and lost the uniform in the fog...

Stephen.

PS- who said humidity in Qld. We haven't seen more than 30mm of rain since March. Dust is more of a problem.

[Peter Brydon]

We are very lucky here in Cheshire as we have nothing like the weather caused by Hurricane Irma but we are experiencing the tale end of Storm Aileen and if I was to give the mannequins some leave for a bit of R and R outside today, they would get very wet and might very well be blown some distance by the wind.

Concerns about the well being of the mannequins are appreciated.

Peter

[leigh kitchen]

They're not those, er, ahem, inflatable mannequins are they?
In these winds they'd be off & away like little nekkid barrage balloons