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  • 1.  Poster storage

    Posted 04-03-2019 12:13
    Hi all,

    We received a donation of several thousand activist posters and have been using map drawers for storage. Prior to placing them in the drawers, we inter-leaf with buffered tissue in between each poster. Is there a  recommended limit to how many posters that can be stacked on top of each other to avoid abrading? Thanks!

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    Meghan Bailey
    Processing Archivist
    UMass Boston University Archives and Special Collections
    Boston MA
    (617) 287-5946
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  • 2.  RE: Poster storage

    Posted 04-03-2019 19:36
    Hi Meghan, 

    I'm checking with a few of our paper storage experts and will get back to you soon.

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    Lissa Kramer
    Heritage Capital Projects Manager
    Washington State Historical Society
    Tacoma WA
    (218) 341-4241
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Poster storage

    Posted 04-08-2019 17:14
    Additional info from paper conservator Doug Sanders:
    "There is no specific limit on how many posters can be stacked in map drawers. I think a concern greater than abrasion is the damage that could occur during retrieval and replacement. If there are many posters in a stack- perhaps greater than 20 or 24, let's say- in order to find the one you are looking for would require quite a bit of manipulation of the stack resulting in the potential for chipped edges, dents and even loss and tears from pulling. This would limit my stack height.  However, if scans are made available for the posters or you otherwise don't predict much access demand, the stack could be higher.

    For large format, drawer-stored works, it is an imperative to have a cart nearby or a counter top available to set the posters on while you're indexing through a stack to find a particular one. This avoids much of the damage that occurs if you're trying to lift the overlying posters with one hand while pulling out the one you need with the other (which is obviously not the right way to do things).

    Finally, it sometimes can help to create drawer sub-folders that could contain maybe 6-10 posters each. Label each folder with the contents range. This way, the bundle could be removed safely in one go to get to posters further down in the stack.  I've found you can store more per drawer this way, but still keep things safe."

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    Lissa Kramer
    Heritage Capital Projects Manager
    Washington State Historical Society
    Tacoma WA
    (218) 341-4241
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Poster storage

    Posted 04-04-2019 10:25
    Hi Meghan, 
    The other threat is deformation from too heavy a stack. You are right that abrasion is a concern, along with other handling damage when you want to get to posters lower in the drawer stack.  They are onerous to handle when not encapsulated (a costly endeavour for the volume you have).  Have you looked into oversize folders? These do add weight, but they also add rigidity which helps distribute the stack more evenly. Even better I have made 'folders' with a foam core (archival) bottom support which gets you a more rigid interleaving layer to spread the weight.  I put up to 12 posters in each folder (interleaved), and have  4-5  'folders' per drawer (the drawer height becomes the limiting factor).  Not as condensed as you might desire,  but much easier to handle than a stack of  unsupported posters. 
    Good luck, 
    Michele Phillips
    Conservator of Paper
    & Photographic Materials



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Poster storage

    Posted 04-04-2019 17:50
    Hello Michele,

    Thank you for your comments, they are very helpful. We have been using oversize folders for the posters to support them while in the map drawers. It sounds like you have about 60 posters per drawer. We will look into limiting the amount of posters per drawer since we have double that amount.

    Meghan

    ------------------------------
    Meghan Bailey
    Processing Archivist
    UMass Boston University Archives and Special Collections
    Boston MA
    (617) 287-5946
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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