This is a review of Saving Stuff: How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions (published May 31,2005). This is a fantastic resource for original prop hobbyists, in that it contains a wealth of information pertaining to care and preservation considerations in regards to collectibles of all types. Given the cost, it is a must buy for any collector. Highest recommendations.
Overview (from the publisher)
Saving Stuff teaches everyday collectors how to keep their prize possessions in mint condition. This is the definitive book on preserving by the man who has overseen the Smithsonian’s preservation of everything from the papers of our founding fathers to the Fonz’s leather jacket. In Saving Stuff, Don Williams, Senior Conservator of the Smithsonian, explains the nature of various materials-wood, paper, metal, ceramics, cloth, and more-and reveals what makes them fall apart. In plain English, he explains the easy and foolproof methods professionals use for preserving and displaying collectibles including:
* Photographs
* Things only a parent could love: Your child’s hair, teeth, shoes, blankets, school papers, and artwork
* Toys-from Leggos to doll houses and clothes
* Family Heirlooms: silverware, china, pottery, wedding gowns, watches
* Family “trash”: lamps, linens, kitchen appliances, tools, farm equipment
* Attic Leftovers: scrapbooks, military uniforms, weapons
* Furniture: painted, varnished, upholstered
* Sports Memorabilia: trading cards, posters, gloves, bats
* Political Memorabilia: buttons, ribbons, flags
* Entertainment Memorabilia: records, radios, cameras
* Reading Material: comic books, magazines, old letters
* Stamps and Coins
* Cars and Motorcycles
* Fine art: oil paintings, etchings, lithographs
* Books
* Musical InstrumentsWith stories about oddities that the Smithsonian has collected and Don’s quirky voice, Saving Stuff is lively, entertaining, and definitive.
Don Williams is Senior Conservator at the Smithsonian Institution. During his career, he has consulted on the preservation of such artifacts as Archie Bunker’s chair and Franklin Roosevelt’s desk. He has served as Education Coordinator of the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education and led conservation workshops throughout the country. Mr. Williams lives near Washington, D.C.
Louisa Jagger has been a columnist for Washington Parent and has contributed articles to Diversion and the online family site Family Travel Network. She has written for PBS and the University of Chicago, among others. She lives near Washington, D.C.
Book Facts (from the publisher)
Saving Stuff: How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions
by Don Williams (Author), Louisa Jaggar (Author)List Price: $16.00
Amazon.com: $10.88
# Paperback: 368 pages
# Publisher: Fireside (May 31, 2005)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0743264169
# ISBN-13: 978-0743264167
# Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
# Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
Written Content (10/10)
This book is all about the content and information, and coming from the Smithsonian and its Senior Conservator, you would expect the best. It is well-written and well organized with a wealth of information. Of course, the audience of the book is collectors of all kinds of collectibles, but given the wide variety of artifacts original prop hobbyists collect, this is a good thing.
The book addresses critical issues such as light, temperature, use, handling, display, storage, and more.
Some sections are directly applicable to the collection of props and wardrobe. As an example, there is a chapter on textiles with a section on vintage clothing, that talks about making padded hangers and preserving hats, gloves, shoes, etc.
Also of interest is the wealth of information about the preservation of paper and photographic pieces.
There are also great “at a glance” references, such as the “Risk Chart for Collectibles”, which lists various types of collectibles and the various risks (light, insects/mold, handling, contaminants, normal use, temperature, moisture) with ratings for each collectible and each risk (immediate risk, fairly high risk, some risk, generally no risk). This is a great resource just to have an immediate sense of how a piece should be protected.
There is also a section in the back of the book called “Resources” with a listing (organized alphabetically) of items of use in the pursuit of preservation (i.e. blotter paper, blue wool fading strips, boxes (archival), brass wire, buffered boards, butcher’s paper) as well as an explanation of each item and its use. Also provided is a “Suppliers List” of companies that provide those resources and items.
The index is fairly comprehensive and a great way to find things if the well organized table of contents was not useful enough.
Visual Collateral (5/10)
The book is primarily information-driven, but there are appropriate illustrations provided that compliment and expand upon the written content. I would describe it as functional and perhaps used a bit sparingly, but it gets the job done.
I would imagine the lack of licensed photography keeps the cost of the book down, which is a fine trade off.
Presentation/Quality (6/10)
This is a nice paperback book, made to be functional and read, as it should be. Again, the basic design keeps the cost of entry down, and given the value of the content, I think it’s great that they took the route of making it affordable and accessible.
It is written in a very straight forward, easy to understand way, so again, it is an accessible work that is intended to be used for its information.
Overall Value (10/10)
The retail price is $16.00, and can be found for close to $10.
An absolute bargain, and really, given the price, there is no excuse not to pick it up.
Conclusion and Overall Rating (9/10)
I would characterize this book as a must have addition to your library if you collect any items of value whatsoever (even outside of original props).
This is a case where the quality of the information and the low cost of the book make it score extremely high. If you consider the cost – $10 – and the fact that the information contained could potentially save a multi-hundred or thousand dollar collectible from becoming damaged in a way that could have been prevented, there is really no excuse not to pick this book up. Highest recommendations.
Jason De Bord