Requesting Advice on Flags

[Guest Jerry]

About 25 years ago, I picked up these two flags at a yard sale. The seller was a building contractor who was retiring and he was selling off tools and the like and I was buying like there was no tomorrow because his prices were good. After having bought a couple of boxes of tools and hardware (and having returned home for more $$$) I came back and asked if there was ANYTHING else that he wanted to part with. He rummaged through some drawers below his work bench and said, "Well I'll be darned... my boy took these out of Manila." I was sure that he wouldn't part with something like that (and I doubt his "boy" would be pleased to know that the old man sold them) but he didn't seem to care about them. I had young children in those days and money was definitely NOT plentiful so I kind of cringed as I asked what he wanted for them... he asked the "whopping" sum of 50 cents apiece. Since that day, they have belonged to me. Although I am sure it is not the best way to store them, they were folded when I got them and I have kept them folded in my wife's cedar chest. Now, all these years later, I would like to display them but I have some questions:

 

1. Should they be cleaned? They are somewhat soiled and water stained. On the one hand, I like them just the way they are because whatever soil and water stains are on them probably came from flying in tropical Manila while the battle to retake Manila was raging. So it's "authentic" dirt and water spots! On the other hand, I wonder if cleaning would extend the life of the fabric.

2. Would framing be a good way of displaying them? If so, are there special considerations? I like the idea of putting them behind glass (to keep them clean) but I am not sure if this would be the best thing for them.

3. What is the best way to take the creases out of them... or should I bother?

 

Flags are roughly 20x30 inches.

 

I know I will get good advice here and I thank you in advance.

 

PS: A friend told me that the Japanese flag is inscribed with the slogans "Heroism", "Loyalty", and "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" and indicated that they were put there by the Manila Military Police (Yamamoto Command) on January 8, 1943.

 

[ww2vault]

Hi Jerry,

 

I must say, that was one hell of a bargain you got for those flags! Wish my luck was something like that. To answer your questions:

 

1. Should they be cleaned? This is mainly a preference that is different for every collector. Some people are obsessed with keeping their items in clean, new state, without caring about keeping the, "originality" while others do absolutely nothing to the things, they try to keep it in the same state as when they got it. Personally I would leave it be, I love keeping items the way they were.

 

2. Would Framing be a good way of displaying them? Yes, I think framing them would be an excellent way of showing them off, I would suggest though that you try not to frame them so they are touching the glass, for if they touch the glass there is a risk that moisture will condensate between the flag and glass, which of course is a no no.

 

As for an added bonus I would frame them and also include a plaque in the frame which includes a title that explains what it is and maybe a short description about the flag.

 

3. What is the best way to take the creases out of them? Again, it's up to you on whether or not you want to take the crease out or not. I know I read a thread here some where that talked about taking creases out of things, not sure where it went off to.... Personally I would leave it alone.

 

After having said all that if you do end up framing them please post some pictures. Take care!

 

- Jeff

[GIl Sanow]

May I suggest that you contact a textile preservation specialist at a major museum? Perhaps there is a city,county or state historical society which might provide direction. I suspect that preservation will cost far more than the flags cost you, and perhaps even more than the flags are worth(!), but you should at least listen to an expert before going ahead with any effort.

 

G

[Bugme]

1) Don't clean them, they look great with all the age on them

 

2) As previously suggested, frame them so the glass does not touch these and use the more expensive preservation glass. This type of glass cuts UV rays and other harmful light. Yes, light hurts these flags. I suggest using someone who does this sort of thing as a professional, don't do it yourself.

 

3) To get out the wrinkles, go to Wal-Mart and get a cheap clothing travel steamer. Hold the flag up and steam the wrinkles out. It will not hurt the flag and will take care of 60 years worth of wrinkles.

 

Framing will be expensive, I did two flags similar to this and it cost me about $300.00 for the two of them and this was in a very basic black frame, nothing fancy. What you spend will probably be close to the value of the flags but, it does look really nice hanging up. Besides, your investment is so low, you can afford to drop the extra change on the frames.

[pathfinder505]

DON'T clean them! you run the risk of messing them up.

As far as wrinkles, if you frame them the wrinkles will improve somewhat due to the pressure against the glass.

Otherwise you will have to tack the corners when putting in the frame.

[Guest Jerry]

Thanks! Like I said, I knew I would get good advice here. So here's the course of action:

 

As suggested, I will contact a professional either at the local university or museum. Assuming he/she gives the go-ahead I will:

 

Steam out the creases with the travel steamer and allow the flags to dry thoroughly. I live in a dry climate, so getting them dry again should be no problem. I will NOT clean them as I think they look great too! Then I will have them professionally framed using preservation glass that will NOT be allowed to touch the flags. I recently had some pictures framed so I am prepared for the "sticker shock". Thanks again for the advice.

[srossio]

Love the flags and what a great story...

 

My suggestion would be to clean the flags only on the advice of a textile expert. I am not a fan of cleaning an item to make it look "new" but, that being said, some items do need a certain amount of cleaning to prevent further damage and deterioration. As for storage, if you do not plan on having them framed right away, find a place where you can store them flat. Many on-line archival supply companies have large, thin, acid free cardboard boxes made for such item(s) and their cost is not overwhelming. By storing them flat you will be surprised at how fast the creases will soften (I have used a steamer before on certain items but be careful as the moisture in the steam, mixing with the dust and dirt that has accumulated in the material over the last 60 years can create a much worse problem than the creases). I also like these boxes because they make it easy to transport the item and show/display the item with minimal handling. By keeping the flags folded, you are taking a chance that the folds may eventually develop into tears (similar to when we were in grade school and would fold a piece of paper over and over to give a clean rip). If you do not have space for a large flat box, many "archives" will roll their large textiles. All you need is a cardboard tube (make sure that it is "acid-free") and some acid-free tissue paper. You then roll the flag around the tube using the paper as a buffer as you roll it. If I am going to keep an item this way for a while I will create a slip-cover to slide the tube/flag into while storing it.

 

Good luck,

Steve

[Guest Jerry]

More good advice. Thanks, Steve. I can probably find the space to store them flat!