Toy Soldier Storage @ Target (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

I found a great solution for storing my soldiers that are not currently on display this morning at Target. They are currently selling SNAPWARE "Snap'N Stack" Seasonal organizers for storing holiday decorations. They come 4 trays per pack with a top carrying handle.You can stack as many units as you want together. They are clear so you can see what is inside. I wrap each soldier in soft tissue and place them inside with an index card telling me what is packed there. Each tray is 9"Lx6"WX2.25"H.The short height is perfect for a single layer of figures. At Target the sets I found have red covers. Target is selling them @$5.99 per set which is $4.00 off the list price. You can of course also use them for 1/72 scale collectible vehicles as well. Holiday time is a good time to look for these kind of storage items.
Randy (for Major Martha Stewart)

 

[Leadmen]

Randy: Last month we put my figures in three drawer cabinets that stack. These are a little larger about 121/2" by 131/2" with stackable shelves. My wife lined drawers with cotton quilting batting and labeled each drawer. These are from Wal-Mart with the three drawers. I found they stack neat in closets or cabinets and easy reference for finding figures to take pictures or rotate into my glass cabinets. No longer do I spend wasteful time looking for certain figures or vehicles. The drawers are 21/2" deep. I use a single layer per drawer. John

 

[damian]

I am not sure if this is true but I was warned against putting figures in airtight tupperware type contaniers. With modern figures the problem of lead rot is not an issue but with older figures it is. Apparently the figures need to be able to breath. If not oxidation may build up leading to lead rot.
I am not an expert on this issue so would appreciate hearing from any other's who have a deeper knowledge of this problem.
Regards
Damian

 

[Leadmen]

I agree with you Damian. On my regular glass cabinets I keep doors open about 1/2" for air to circulate. On the Wal-Mart three shelve cabinets they have clearance spaces and not sealed like a container. Plenty of air can circulate. John

 

[PolarBear]

Intersting re: lead deterioration.

The soldiers that I have put in the containers illustrated are 50+years old and they have been stored away in tightly sealed heavy cardboard boxes for 40 years and no signs of rot. Is it that the plastic boxes do not breathe?
The soldiers are mostly Britains from the 1950s and look like new.

Thanks for the warning.

Randy

 

[damian]

I am not sure whether it is an old wife's tale but I have been told that by two local collectors in Durban. I would think these tupperware type containers are pretty airtight that is why you keep biscuits (cookies) in them.
Regards
Damian

 

[hhenry]

I've been advised by other vintage Britains collectors to allow the figures to breath. Cardboard breathes plastic doesn't. You don't want to take any chances here. Cotton batten also can hold moisture, acid-free tissue paper is the best option. Relatedly, Oak cabinets are bad apparently because of the tanin in the wood.

Intersting re: lead deterioration.

The soldiers that I have put in the containers illustrated are 50+years old and they have been stored away in tightly sealed heavy cardboard boxes for 40 years and no signs of rot. Is it that the plastic boxes do not breathe?
The soldiers are mostly Britains from the 1950s and look like new.

Thanks for the warning.

Randy