posted on January 4, 2010 08:43:51 AM new
I have a box of royal memerabilia buttons and medals. The one I have pictured here is from the coronation of George Vl and Elizabeth the queen mother. On the back is a picture of the queen as a young girl.
My questions is mainly about the metal, as you see, it is very dark, and I have no idea what it is made of. I would like to clean it, because if I list as is, you can't even see the pictures properly. I don't know what to try and clean it with, any ideas?
posted on January 4, 2010 09:07:40 AM new
I would try to lighten the photo as much as you can and leave it as found.
Some collectors don't want anyone cleaning stuff for them - let them decide. JMHO
posted on January 4, 2010 09:48:21 AM new
I have lightened it a lot, it is actually a lot darker than it appears on the picture. Any idea on the metal?
posted on January 4, 2010 10:06:28 AM new
It's most likely copper. I'd leave it as it is, and take another close-up of just the medal for better detail.
posted on January 5, 2010 10:31:57 PM new
Ditto to the answers! Neat medal.
_____________________
"Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who ***dared to dissent*** from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, ***may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."*** --Eisenhower
posted on January 6, 2010 05:12:12 PM new
Do not clean it!!!! Military collectors usually want it in as found condition, be sure to mention the safety pin fastner because that truly dates the item.
thanks leads
posted on January 8, 2010 05:31:07 AM new
I have been having some luck of late photographing things like this and clear glass in front of a window on a cloudy day. You can also tape a piece of tissue paper to the window to change the light. It seems to work for me. I would NOT polish it
posted on January 8, 2010 06:25:31 AM new
Thanks biboswell, I will try that, we have lots of cloudy days! It is very dark, the picture I have here is lightened a lot.
posted on January 8, 2010 11:55:40 AM new
I agree about no polish. I polished a brass luggage tag that was my fathers and the buyer was not pleased but bought it anyway because it was from a rare railroad.
I love the safety pin and funny stitching. It makes it seem so personal to the former owner.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
