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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

 

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Postings
Postmaster

23 Apr 2021
10:56:48pm
I found this old postal card (ca: 1886) in a box of old papers. I don't mind the yellowing with age but the card is just plain dirty. Any suggestions for technique to lift some of the dirt without damaging the card? As always, I appreciate your advise. MikeImage Not Found

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Bobstamp
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24 Apr 2021
11:00:21am
re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

According to a paper conservator who spoke to my stamp club a few years ago, little can be done to clean paper documents that won’t damage the paper to some degree. Even super-soft art-gum erasers and chalk bags are abrasive. No doubt there are processes and chemicals that would do the job in a more or less non-destructive way, but the cost would rule them out for any but rare and valuable covers and stamps, and, ethically, once cleaned it should be noted in selling them that they have been cleaned. I think of the ravages of time on philatelic material as provenance. But if a cover or stamp is too ratty, I just dump recycle it, especially if it’s replaceable.

Bob

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Harvey
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!

24 Apr 2021
11:37:22am
re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I have a few cards that look like yours and I think of it as a sign of age - leave it alone!! It reminds me of an episode of the US Antiques Road Show. A person brought in a genuine, circa 1900, Arts and Crafts style bronze lamp that really didn't look right - I'm an antique dealer so I had a good idea what was going on. The appraiser had a stunned look on his face as he listened to the owner explain how he had removed the ugly green patina and brought the lamp back to "as new" condition by scrubbing it with cleaning pads. The owner had also removed about 90% of the lamps rather large value. I also remember the proud owner of a newly refinished late 1700's Pennsylvania Dutch sideboard who also eliminated most of it's value when he removed the "ugly" alligator finish. I'm sure your cover is not as historically important as these two pieces but I believe the same principal applies, when in doubt, don't clean!!

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""We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years." George Carlin"
keesindy
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24 Apr 2021
12:11:40pm
re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

We've had related discussions here at SoR in the past. A search on Library of Congress or National Archives should bring up some of those. Otherwise, you might begin your research here.

https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/preservation-program/paper-based-treatment.html

Tom

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"I no longer collect, but will never abandon the hobby"
BrightonPete
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Praying for Ukraine

24 Apr 2021
04:16:10pm
re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I cleaned some coins I had when I was a kid, nothing of value. Easy to do according to ads probably found in Canadian Coin News. They were never the same after that. I've never cleaned one since. I too believe that is is just showing its age - leave it alone. If you can't stand it, sell it off here in the auctions and buy a fresher looking one!

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Postmaster

24 Apr 2021
08:08:34pm
re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I appreciate your advise. The card has nominal value. I have a small postal card/embossed envelope collection and was wanting to include it with my others. Thought I would ask if there was a safe & easy way to make it a little more attractive. Thanks again, Mike

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Author/Postings
Postmaster

23 Apr 2021
10:56:48pm

I found this old postal card (ca: 1886) in a box of old papers. I don't mind the yellowing with age but the card is just plain dirty. Any suggestions for technique to lift some of the dirt without damaging the card? As always, I appreciate your advise. MikeImage Not Found

Like
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this post
Members Picture
Bobstamp

24 Apr 2021
11:00:21am

re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

According to a paper conservator who spoke to my stamp club a few years ago, little can be done to clean paper documents that won’t damage the paper to some degree. Even super-soft art-gum erasers and chalk bags are abrasive. No doubt there are processes and chemicals that would do the job in a more or less non-destructive way, but the cost would rule them out for any but rare and valuable covers and stamps, and, ethically, once cleaned it should be noted in selling them that they have been cleaned. I think of the ravages of time on philatelic material as provenance. But if a cover or stamp is too ratty, I just dump recycle it, especially if it’s replaceable.

Bob

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this post

www.ephemeraltreasur ...

This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
24 Apr 2021
11:37:22am

re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I have a few cards that look like yours and I think of it as a sign of age - leave it alone!! It reminds me of an episode of the US Antiques Road Show. A person brought in a genuine, circa 1900, Arts and Crafts style bronze lamp that really didn't look right - I'm an antique dealer so I had a good idea what was going on. The appraiser had a stunned look on his face as he listened to the owner explain how he had removed the ugly green patina and brought the lamp back to "as new" condition by scrubbing it with cleaning pads. The owner had also removed about 90% of the lamps rather large value. I also remember the proud owner of a newly refinished late 1700's Pennsylvania Dutch sideboard who also eliminated most of it's value when he removed the "ugly" alligator finish. I'm sure your cover is not as historically important as these two pieces but I believe the same principal applies, when in doubt, don't clean!!

Like
Login to Like
this post

""We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years." George Carlin"
Members Picture
keesindy

24 Apr 2021
12:11:40pm

re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

We've had related discussions here at SoR in the past. A search on Library of Congress or National Archives should bring up some of those. Otherwise, you might begin your research here.

https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/preservation-program/paper-based-treatment.html

Tom

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this post

"I no longer collect, but will never abandon the hobby"
Members Picture
BrightonPete

Praying for Ukraine
24 Apr 2021
04:16:10pm

re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I cleaned some coins I had when I was a kid, nothing of value. Easy to do according to ads probably found in Canadian Coin News. They were never the same after that. I've never cleaned one since. I too believe that is is just showing its age - leave it alone. If you can't stand it, sell it off here in the auctions and buy a fresher looking one!

Like
Login to Like
this post
Postmaster

24 Apr 2021
08:08:34pm

re: Cleaning a Dirty Postal Card

I appreciate your advise. The card has nominal value. I have a small postal card/embossed envelope collection and was wanting to include it with my others. Thought I would ask if there was a safe & easy way to make it a little more attractive. Thanks again, Mike

Like
Login to Like
this post
        

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