Collection Care

The diverse collection contains paper files, books, stamps and postal history material, posters, maps, textiles, and vehicles to name just a few. As a collection designated as of outstanding national and international importance, the long-term survival, use and sustainability is one of the Museum’s main objectives.

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In addition, the Royal Mail archive (being one of the oldest business archives in the world) attracts much interest from scholars, philatelists, local historians, collectors, and the general public. Making our collections accessible to all is one of our key objectives, so it is vital we do all we can to preserve them. The Conservation Studio (part of the Collections Department) is at the heart of this, managing and implementing actions from our ‘Collection Care and Conservation Plan’. This bespoke plan is the backbone of the work that the Studio undertakes and is crucial to the survival of these collections.

Preservation

These are the strategies an organisation is using for the care and protection of its collections by managing the changes associated with their physical properties, storage and display environment and their use/access.

Conservation

This focuses on specific treatment methodologies which are guided by a professional code of ethics intended to protect the tangible and intangible value of any collection item.

Together preservation and conservation offer the means to prolong the life of cultural artefacts so that these objects can continue to offer their insights to future generations.

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Access and Handling

Damage to objects is often associated with incorrect handling. Our conservators are on hand to provide advice and support to enable safe access to items.

This can be through adapting handling methods to the needs of each object, as well as providing protective and supportive housing. This helps to safeguard the collection from physical and chemical deterioration. Conservators are on hand to respond to all collection care enquiries and support and train staff and volunteers.

We work closely with our in-house Digitisation Studio by making items stable and accessible for photography, as well as providing handling support during the process, especially for large and complex objects.

Find out more about how we handle items in our Access and Handling Guidelines. LINK

Environmental conditions

Conservators actively manage the environment in which the collections are stored and displayed. By controlling these we can help to elongate the life of the objects. These can include:

Light

UV and visible light can be severely damaging to objects, so we limit light levels and exposure times to prevent deterioration whilst still allowing good viewing conditions.

Temperature and Humidity

Objects made of different materials prefer different conditions, so the management of mixed media collection involves compromises. For example, high humidity and temperature can create the perfect conditions for mould growth; controlling the conditions in the most sustainable way reduces the risk of deterioration.

Dust

This everyday household occurrence can contain contaminants that cause damage as well as being enticing for pests, so good housekeeping is essential for keeping items safe.

Working on exhibition displays includes both preservation and conservation aspects. Conservators work closely with the curators and archivists to support the selection of objects for display, and undertake conservation treatments and mounting to ensure the collection items are supported and enjoyed.

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Treating damaged objects allows visitors to appreciate and learn from them as well as stabilize the object for the future. Treatments always take into consideration the history and provenance of the object.

Display cases have been designed with features to limit potential deterioration to objects. Lighting, temperature, and humidity are all controlled in the exhibition galleries, and objects are constantly monitored to ensure no changes have occurred.