Conservation of paper is a tricky business, but here are a few basics you can do

Thats the line that caught my eye in a recent article in the Columbia Tribune site. The article is entitled “Special steps needed to preserve documents” and is written by Nancy Russell, a co-owner of Friends Together Antiques in Columbia, Missouri.

It’s an interesting article about Ephemera and preserving family records. She points out that if the paper is already crumbling, theres little to be done to save it. “What we must do is learn how to preserve paper documents, called ephemera, before they get in this condition.”

I’d say it being worth the read.

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the Encore it deserves.

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the Encore it deserves.

The traditional definition of Ephemera goes something like this (from Wikipedia):

Ephemera is transitory written and printed matter, not intended to be retained or preserved.

It’s interesting as you scour the web to find collectors of interesting items… who seem to want to classify it as “ephemera”.

I recently ran across a blog entitled “Electronic Ephemera” which seems to me to be a bit of everything… but through that blog we came across “A Collector’s Guide to Vintage Handcuffs” And given my role as President of our local Police Foundation.. it caught my eye.

The guide is focused on collecting handcuffs and related restraints – primarily vintage American handcuffs from the time of the Civil War through the 1970s.

Among the chapters of the site are such interesting things as:

• The prelimaries
• The Gallery
• Handcuff companies and their wares
• Escape Artists and their craft
• Interviews and events

If you have an interest in handcuffs… and I think most of us do have at least a curiosity about them, then this site may be worth a look… even if it is not ephemera. It was started in 2000 and appears that the author keeps it up to date as time allows.

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the Encore it deserves.

Not your typical ephemera site… but I wandered across this link today.

The British Lawnmower Museum has pages for everything from Lawnmowers of the Rich and Famous (even Princess Dianna had her own mower) to the modern (British) sport of lawn mower racing.

Have a look for yourself..

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the Encore it deserves.

Today we added a very special Dinky… one that was recreated by the famed Dr. Dinky – Win van den Berg.

Wim is known for his quality Die-Cast restoration work. In his studio in DeForest, Wisconsin, (he’s originally from Holland) Dr. Dinky completely disassembles the item, bead blasts it, and paint it with several coats of paint in accurate military colors. He then reassembles it and adds proper emblems and markings. Each piece is truly a one-of-a-kind creation.

Today’s auction is for a Dinky Military Ambulance manufactured in England on a Bentley chassis and recreated by Wim. It is a representation of a Royal Air Force Ambulance. There is no number on the base but Wim’s logo is engraved. No box available. This item is in what we would call EXCELLENT condition. It is believed to date to the 1940s.

If you collect Dinky’s and/or Wim van den Berg recreations, you will certainly want to have a look at this wonderful piece.

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the Encore it deserves.