Hi Paula,
It would depend on what the suitcases are made of-- if they are wood or leather (or a composite of both) they should be fine to be wrapped and placed in the freezer. The only concern is if they are painted at all, as this may cause cracking in the paint layers due to the expansion and retraction of underlying materials, then anoxia/thermolingum is the better option.
Hope that helps!
All the best,
Sejal Goel
She/Her
Kress Fellow in Object Conservation
sgoel@mohistory.org
Missouri Historical Society
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Sejal Goel
Object Conservation Fellow
Library - Missouri Historical Society
St Louis MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2022 10:31 AM
From: Paula Phipps
Subject: Treatment for old suitcases
Conservator friends, we are planning on treating parts of our collection before moving into a new storage building. We have numerous old suitcases, c. 1920s, and I'm wondering if they can be put in the freezer to kill potential pests, or if they need to go into the anoxic chamber?
Thank you!
Paula Phipps
Manager of Collections and Interpretation
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-651-6966
paula.phipps@nemours.org