Storing your hats?

[JimWagner]

I've been storing my hats in what were supposed to be hat boxes. Today I was looking through my collection and discovered that my Biltmore Panama was looking kind of dingy and yellowing. I don't remember it looking that way last time I wore it last summer.

It occurs to me that my hat boxes may not be acid free and beginning to affect my hats, at least the panama.

So I've ordered some acid free boxes and acid free non-buffered tissue paper to use for at least the lighter colored hats in my collection.

Is this the right approach or overkill?

 

[theinterchange]

I was kicking around the idea of starting a thread about hat boxes/storing myself. I look forward to everyone's views.

Currently, my hats are stored in the boxes I received them in [when applicable], but am considering an investment in boxes like the ones Adventurebilt and Penman are now offering.

http://www.sarahshatboxes.com

Randy

 

[fluteplayer07]

Sounds like a smart plan, if you ask me. Especially if you have a lot of money invested in your collection of hats. Where did you get yours, JimWagner? I looked on one site, and they were going for $32 each! (Albeit, they were sturdy looking)

 

[JimWagner]

I ordered mine from http://www.shopbrodart.com/shop/cb/product.aspx?pgid=3099

$22.65 each

 

[fluteplayer07]

I was kicking around the idea of starting a thread about hat boxes/storing myself. I look forward to everyone's views.

Currently, my hats are stored in the boxes I received them in [when applicable], but am considering an investment in boxes like the ones Adventurebilt and Penman are now offering.

http://www.sarahshatboxes.com

Randy

Now that I look at some of those, I guess $32 isn't out of the ordinary! Although, it is a small price to pay for insurance. Currently, I'm using the box that came with my Tilley Fedora. I'll need to see if it's acid free.

 

[RobFedoraField]

how can you tell if a box is acid free?

I am using a bunch of resistol western hat boxes that I bought from a tack shop for $8 / each, how can I tell if they are acid free?

 

[Dreispitz]

If you are unsure, you can put a layer of chemically inert cellophane or acid free paper between the hat and the box. However, felting involves chemicals. Therefore the hat is part of the redox reaction leading to discolorations, etc. as a result of storage when oxygen is present.

-> Best storage conditions would be provided in a vacuum box made of gold lol

Well, polyurethane or perspex would do, too.

 

[feltfan]

I've never been convinced that non-acid-free box cardboard
reacts with hats. But as Dreispitz points out, there is a fix for that.

I suspect the stuff used to tan leather sweatbands or the skin oil
and salt left on cloth ones. Just an impression I've had after looking
at a lot of hats.

BTW, there are already a number of threads here on ways to store
one's hats. Have a look and you might find a different way to store
your hats.

 

[Lefty]

 

[AlterEgo]

How Can You Tell If A Box Is Acid-Free?

I am using a bunch of resistol western hat boxes that I bought from a tack shop for $8 / each, how can I tell if they are acid free?

Find an inconspicuous place on the box and carefully cut out a 1/4-inch square of the cardboard. Place the cardboard on your tongue and wait an hour. If you do not hallunicate, the box is acid-free!

 

[RobFedoraField]

I'll get right on that....

Find an inconspicuous place on the box and carefully cut out a 1/4-inch square of the cardboard. Place the cardboard on your tongue and wait an hour. If you do not hallunicate, the box is acid-free!

:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

 

[Sam Craig]

great storage

"Lefty" has the right idea on storage. Several walls worth of those shelves should just about do it.

Anyone who doesn't approve is just a hat hater.

Seriously, boxes are often made of cheap paper, which tends to be high in acid. The condition of the room ... temperature, humidity, etc. .... is also important, especially with older straws.

Just because a particular box was good enough to keep a hat in the store doesn't mean it's good for the next century or so.

 

[JimWagner]

The boxes I ordered arrived yesterday. Very sturdy. And large enough to store 2-3 hats separated by the unbuffered tissue in each.

Edit: The invoice arrived today and I think I was raped on the shipping. $50 for the 4 boxes and the tissue paper!

 

[AlterEgo]

No matter how or where you store your hats, keep in mind that a major risk any hats not on your head is moths and other hungry critters nibbling them, so preventive pest aversion is always in order.

And be aware that any hat material is potential food for vermin. A favorite suede trilby was munched on by some sub-human animal. Then again, that could have been my gnashing ex-wife!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

The boxes I ordered arrived yesterday. Very sturdy. And large enough to store 2-3 hats separated by the unbuffered tissue in each.

Edit: The invoice arrived today and I think I was raped on the shipping. $50 for the 4 boxes and the tissue paper!

Yep - the shipping on boxes like that can be insanely expensive. Everyone's changed to charging based on bulk with a weight add-on. It justed to be just based on weight. It's resulted, too, in many shipments being made with insufficient cushioning to save money (both on the packing material and shipping) - I guess the shippers / retailers think they're better off having to pay for sending a replacement order for those that do get damaged in transit.

 

[RobFedoraField]

time frame?

No matter how or where you store your hats, keep in mind that a major risk any hats not on your head is moths and other hungry critters nibbling them, so preventive pest aversion is always in order.

And be aware that any hat material is potential food for vermin. A favorite suede trilby was munched on by some sub-human animal. Then again, that could have been my gnashing ex-wife!

let's say you give your favorite hat a good brushing, put it in a clean (to the visible eye) box w/ a hunk o cedar, how often do you need to take it out and brush it again?

once a moth lays an egg, how long does it take to make a noticable mark?