Saving Stuff: How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions

by Don Williams, Louisa Jaggar

The most comprehensive book on preserving every type of collectible -- from the sentimental to the valuable -- from the Smithsonian's Senior Conservator.
For both the serious collector and the sometimes sentimentalist, Saving Stuff explains -- in plain language -- how you can use the techniques of museum professionals to keep your prized possessions in mint condition.
You do not need deep pockets or oodles of time: using Don Williams's simple instructions, you can preserve anything quickly and inexpensively. In Saving Stuff, he demystifies preservation and presents easy, foolproof methods anyone can use to save nearly everything, including:

Photographs -- in print and digital form
Stuff only a parent could love -- from baby teeth to old blankets and first artworks
Furniture -- whether it's painted, varnished, or upholstered
Family heirlooms -- from silver to rugs to wedding dresses
Sports and political memorabilia -- trading cards, posters, equipment, buttons, stickers
Attic leftovers -- scrapbooks, military uniforms, medals
Musical instruments
Fine art -- oil paintings, etchings, lithographs
Printed matter -- comic books, magazines, old letters
And much, much more

With step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, tips for making the things you use every day last, and stories about how the Smithsonian takes care of our national treasures, Saving Stuff is the only book you need to take care of the stuff you love.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2005

About the author

Don (Donald C.) Williams is Senior Furniture Conservator at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE).

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't recommend reading this book cover to cover, as it is intended to be a go-to reference. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The tone was light and conversational, unlike similar reference books where I have to keep looking up words to understand what I'm reading. Williams covers everything I can think of that I would ever need to know how to preserve. I also really enjoyed Jaggar's personal experiences that she interjects.

My only problem with the book is that most of the links to Smithsonian projects are no longer working links. I was able to find most of the projects by doing a search, and getting to see them was an excellent supplement to the book. Perhaps any subsequent editions could add photos in the appendices.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both entertaining and informative. This is a great, easy-to-understand guide to preservation. I admit I skimmed through some of the information about types of artifacts that I am not dealing with at home or at work, but I found the book very useful--after reading my library copy I had to buy one.

[Virginia]

I attended a lecture at the Getty. The lecture was by the author of this book. Really informative to help you care for those family heirlooms and all those good old things that you want to keep for your children.

[Arapahoe Libraries]

While most of us could spare a good many things from our households, there is some stuff that we do want to preserve. Find out how with this practical book.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic, practical information on how to save what you love, from a child's macaroni art piece to a valuable sculpture. Lots of interesting tips. I just wished there were more illustrations.