Agree with contacting an expert. If you watch the Antiques Roadshow, you will see how sometimes people ruin the antique quality of an item, or ruin the the piece itself by washing it incorrectly. The flag probably needs a gentle wash and rinse. I would display it on July 4 and Veterans Day, and otherwise keep it tucked away. I think the other memoribilia would be nice in a display box, but if you display it year round, some of those things will become damaged by the light. Display it during July or during family get togethers and otherwise keep it in the dark.
Heirloom Flag Question.
My mom came up from Florida to visit my new homestead a couple of weeks ago, she loved my farm and animals and we had a great visit.
She sent me a thank you package that made me so proud!
My great uncle Boyd Dickinson served in the army in WWI in Germany, he never married and went to work on the family farm after the war, he had a great affinity for animals and nature.
When he passed away in the mid-sixties my great aunt Sarah sent for the flag that is given to veterans, and she kept it on a shelf until her passing, it was then passed to my mom and now to me. It is not in a flag case or anything, just folded up in a box. Along with the flag, I received his army cap, army photo and the funeral program and the flag insert from Valley Forge Flags. She also included a lovely note with a biography of my uncle, how he fell in love with a German girl and had his heart broken, etc.....
I would hate to sit this flag on a shelf for another 20-30 years, but I don't want to fly it, because it will get ruined, it is quite large, 5.5 X 9 I think.
My idea is to hang it from a dowel on the big wall leading up the stairway in my home, it would be nice there too as the wall-paper is original in this part of the house (lovely, and dating to before 1920) I want to keep the paper for the time being, it is rather worn in places, so the flag would camouflage it nicely.
I am also considering making a shadow box for the memorabilia to showcase the provenance of the flag.
Now my question, should I Scotchguard the flag or treat it in any way- it is mint, but of course the white has yellowed a bit over the years. I would hate for it to get ruined by my good intentions, or by my inaction. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing?
She sent me a thank you package that made me so proud!
My great uncle Boyd Dickinson served in the army in WWI in Germany, he never married and went to work on the family farm after the war, he had a great affinity for animals and nature.
When he passed away in the mid-sixties my great aunt Sarah sent for the flag that is given to veterans, and she kept it on a shelf until her passing, it was then passed to my mom and now to me. It is not in a flag case or anything, just folded up in a box. Along with the flag, I received his army cap, army photo and the funeral program and the flag insert from Valley Forge Flags. She also included a lovely note with a biography of my uncle, how he fell in love with a German girl and had his heart broken, etc.....
I would hate to sit this flag on a shelf for another 20-30 years, but I don't want to fly it, because it will get ruined, it is quite large, 5.5 X 9 I think.
My idea is to hang it from a dowel on the big wall leading up the stairway in my home, it would be nice there too as the wall-paper is original in this part of the house (lovely, and dating to before 1920) I want to keep the paper for the time being, it is rather worn in places, so the flag would camouflage it nicely.
I am also considering making a shadow box for the memorabilia to showcase the provenance of the flag.
Now my question, should I Scotchguard the flag or treat it in any way- it is mint, but of course the white has yellowed a bit over the years. I would hate for it to get ruined by my good intentions, or by my inaction. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing?
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