| If you enjoy Scripophily (the collecting of antique | | | | should always be kept one certificate to one |
| stock certificates), you know they are works of | | | | sleeve. Besides, you normally want to be able to |
| art and should be treated as such. This article | | | | see both sides. Many certificates have writing, |
| discusses how to care for your certificates to | | | | signatures, transfer records or stamps on the |
| retain their appeal and value. | | | | reverse.o Elements - Always keep paper |
| Scripophily is the collecting of antique bonds and | | | | documents away from excessive heat, light and |
| stock certificates. Enthusiasts vary widely in how | | | | moisture. The key word is excessive. Normal |
| they care for their documents. Some people | | | | room temperatures, lighting and humidity are |
| actually just stack certificates together in a folder | | | | fine.o Display - Collectors that have certificates |
| or drawer (cringe). Others treat them like the | | | | special to them in some way, and people who |
| irreplaceable historical artifacts and works of art | | | | give, or have been given, a certificate, often like |
| they really are. | | | | to display them for others to see. A common |
| If you spend time and money acquiring collectible | | | | way to do this is to mount and frame them for |
| certificates, you should know how to care for | | | | wall display. As with any artwork, you should |
| them to retain their appeal and value. Here's | | | | avoid using tape or glue to mount them and use |
| how:o Sleeves - Clear semi-rigid holders are the | | | | non-reactive matting. Also don't place them over |
| best. The documents can be handled and stored | | | | a furnace vent, by a window that allows direct |
| without them being bent, rolled up or "dinged," yet | | | | sunlight or near a humidifier.o Repair - Pros: Some |
| they are easy to inspect and admire. Since most | | | | people feel taping together fold splits or erasing |
| certificates were folded at one time, semi-rigid | | | | pencil marks helps to preserve and restore |
| sleeves have the added benefit of tending to | | | | something that otherwise might end up in the |
| flatten and smooth out any fold remnants. | | | | trash. Cons: Others believe antique items should |
| Sleeves should also be non-reactive chemically.o | | | | remain precisely as history created them and |
| Gloves - If you want to handle certificates outside | | | | "repairing" opens up a Pandora's Box with the |
| of a sleeve (as when inspecting with a magnifier), | | | | potential for misrepresentation. |
| put on a pair of non-powdered, non-latex exam | | | | What you do with your possessions is certainly |
| gloves. Powdered versions leave a powder | | | | your prerogative. Regardless of which camp you |
| residue and latex causes an allergic reaction in | | | | fall into, though, if the certificate is conveyed to |
| some people. Exam gloves are very inexpensive | | | | another person, you should always make clear its |
| and will keep skin oil, finger prints and other | | | | condition and what you have done to it. |
| chemicals off of the paper and printing.o | | | | Collectible bonds and stock certificates are not so |
| Intermingling - Certificates vary in the chemical | | | | delicate that you can't enjoy touching or showing |
| makeup of the paper and inks used, as well as | | | | them. After all, many of them have survived a |
| the elements that have been deposited on them | | | | century or more already. Just take common |
| over time. To prevent these various materials | | | | sense care of them and maybe they'll last |
| from interacting with each other, certificates | | | | another hundred years. |