Storage conditions
Valuable NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICs
should be protected from handling and
exposure as much as possible. And since a collection spends most of its
life in storage, it is vital that the conditions of storage be as benign
as you can make them, and suited to the needs of the collection.
Store your NGMs either in customized boxes of safe materials or vertically on shelves in
a well-ventilated area away from window light. Cabinets with glass doors
can reduce dust exposure and still show off your collection.
Environmental factors that
can affect the preservation of NGMs include temperature, humidity, light, pollution,
and biological factors. Independently, each of these factors
can cause specific types of damage, but they also have distinct
relationships to one another. For instance, the rate of many chemical
reactions is dependent on both temperature and the presence of water.
In paper, the combination of temperatures above 75°F (24°C)
and humidity above 60 percent can encourage mold growth. NGMs should be
stored at temperatures below 75°F (24°C), with constant
monitoring to avoid fluctuation. Direct heat should be avoided since it
may accelerate chemical reactions or cause local drying. |
