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now difficult to find in mint First off, don’t place them under a torrent of water in an unpadded
condition – but a few tatters can add to sink. You’re just asking for trouble. Towels in the sink, a gentle stream
their appeal and authenticity. Two of water, and, if needed, liquid soap, should do the trick. (Particular
specific types of paper goods prompted care should be taken in cleaning “cold-painted” items, where color was
recent inquiries: added after the piece had been fired.)
Hands down, the best (and safest) choice for ceramic cleaning is a
Sheet Music spray-on dirt dissolver (my favorite: “Sparkle Plenty”) followed by a
“There are a few tears. Should I tape light water rinse. Grime melts away and good looks return.
them?” But if you did go for that unpadded sink, and the result was a nick,
When it comes to tears, the answer a crack, or—even worse—a beheading or an amputation, the anguished
is “it depends.” If you’ve acquired the query is of course: “What do I do now?”
music just so you can play it, then go First off, relax. Regardless of the level of care given a collection,
right ahead. It will make your piano- some breakage is eventually bound to occur. Once this happens, you
playing life a lot easier. If you are must decide what to do with the broken item – attempt to repair it, or
collecting the piece for display, more leave it “as is”.
A few creases are bearable when consideration is needed. You can Most collectors will
the cover image is Lana Turner. carefully tape the tear on the reverse settle for “as is” if the
Silver Screen magazine, side of the illustration. (Never use glue, nicks or cracks aren’t
April 1945.
which will bleed through.) Or, you can overtly obvious. As for
keep hunting for an un-torn copy. (They do exist – plenty of sheet complete breaks, since
music, stored for years in piano benches or music cabinets, remains in we’re still in the family-
relatively pristine shape.) friendly category, (i.e, the
value does not justify pro-
“There’s a signature on the cover. Should I try and erase it?” fessional restoration), a
For those sheet music covers bearing the proudly scrawled signatures light application of
of their original owners, never try to erase them. You’ll end up erasing quick-bonding gel glue
the cover ink as well (I speak from unhappy experience). Besides that, followed by a deft use of
the autographs of those “Trudies” and “Verla Jeans” who were the first colored chalk at the break
to enjoy these songs, lend a certain charm. Avoid, however, music with line can often make a
a signature encroaching on the cover’s central image, as well as covers clean break undetectable,
with crumbling edges or water spots. These fall in the realtor’s “great- A ceramic or at least bearable. (If
M’amselle figurine,
fixer-upper” category. They aren’t, and you can’t. created by Betty professional restoration is
Harrington, a future possibility, use a
Greeting Cards principal designer non-permanent glue.)
“Should I only collect cards that are in mint condition and unsigned? for Madison’s Collectors who’ve yet
In my opinion: “nope.” Signed and dated cards, especially those Ceramic Arts to break a ceramic (lucky
with hand-written personal messages, add a human dimension to Studio, suffered you!) have another con-
greeting card collecting and offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of an unfortunate cern: “How do I keep my
their long-ago authors. Here’s one from the 1940s: accident in transit. treasures from ‘traveling’?”

“Hope your birthday is the happiest. Kind of on pins and needles here. At left: After an Glad you asked. Day-
Expect Jimmy’s division was in that invasion of Okinawa. Got a letter from at-home repair, to-day vibrations in a
him Saturday. He is so good to write me. Couldn’t make it if he didn’t. the hairline crack house can cause pieces
I love and miss him so much.” in M’amselle’s to move around on a
right shoulder (left, surface. Those move-
facing camera) is ments can be so minor
barely noticeable. from one day to the next
that they’re not noticed
until a piece has moved to
a spot where it’s soon likely to fall off. Tacky wax to the rescue! This
removable adhesive bonds a figurine to the desired surface; several dabs,
and it’s firmly situated. Once set, the object can be gently dusted in
place (“Swiffers” at the ready!) rather than moved each time cleaning is
called for. A steadying hand while dusting provides added security.

Get Well card, dating from 1951 with
card interior. The original signature
and greeting add to its appeal.

Even after the passage of so many years, sentiments like those still
tug at the heartstrings.
Among the display options for loose cards: binders with clear
archival pocket pages or individual frames. Should you run across cards
glued into scrapbooks, enjoy these as found, without attempting
to remove them. Any attempt to dissolve the glue will also, in all
probability, dissolve the delicate, aged paper.

Oh No! I Dropped It In The Sink!
Collectors of ceramics and porcelain know that all those intricate
nooks and crannies make these items inveterate dust gatherers.
In answer to the oft-asked, “How should I clean them?” let common
sense rule. At left: A Schoolgirl by Ardell Studios of Los Angeles, with hair bow damage.
At right: The same Schoolgirl figurine, after an at-home bow repair.
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