Postcard Storage
The three major causes of damage to any postcard or photographic collection are handling, heat, and moisture. Protecting and safely storing your postcard collection will assure that they remain in the condition you acquired them for a long time to come.
Acid free non-PVC clear pages are available for storing postcards in binders. The pages typically hold four postcards per page and can be purchased to fit in a commercial 3-ring binder. Choose a good quality binder with locking rings to avoid accidents. Binders are generally the best option for most, as they allow the postcards to be viewed front and back without handling.
Non PVC sleeves are also available for storing postcards in boxes. While quite adequate
for storage, the fact that cards must be handled to be viewed make this option slightly less
safer than binders. Sleeves are available in both hard and soft versions. Storage boxes
should be slightly larger than the cards and have a lid. Boxes made specifically for postcard storage can be found here.
Regardless of which option is used for storage, it is very important that your collection not be exposed to excessive moisture or heat. Ideally your cards should be stored at a temperature of about 72 degrees F or less with a relative humidity of about 45. Avoid smoking anywhere near your collection and never leave cards in direct sunlight.
We use a combination of both binders and boxes for storage with Collector Safe brand sleeves and Ultra-Pro pages. Storage supplies are available from many retail internet dealers as well as
Ebay.