How do you display your knapsack?

[Billw12280]

Hello everyone. I'm just curious how to conserve and display my 1855 model double knapsack. I originally thought about getting some items that would have originally been carried in the knapsack but I was concerned with damaging it. I am leaning more towards a small pillow or some bubble wrap stuffed inside to shape the pack. Should I even stuff it or just leave it flat and put it in a shadow box?

 

[UCVRelics]

I would still get the items but display them on the outside so people can see what a typical Union soldier would have carried. On the knapsack, I don't the condition but if in good shape a light coat of saddle soap to keep it moist and then the big blow up section of the packing material to keep it puffed up would work well.

 

[Billw12280]

I would still get the items but display them on the outside so people can see what a typical Union soldier would have carried. On the knapsack, I don't the condition but if in good shape a light coat of saddle soap to keep it moist and then the big blow up section of the packing material to keep it puffed up would work well.

I'm glad you asked about the condition, it gives me an excuse to show it off (as if I really needed an excuse ).

 

[UCVRelics]

VERY Nice. It looks as if could handle a "LIGHT" coat of saddle soap to keep the leather soft.

 

[Billw12280]

VERY Nice. It looks as if could handle a "LIGHT" coat of saddle soap to keep the leather soft.

Sounds like a great idea, the leather is starting to harden in spots but overall it's in nice shape. Thanks for the advice!

 

[FrankN]

Hello Billw12280,
That's a really nice looking knapsack that you have!
I filled my knapsack with acid free paper that my wife had leftover from a project. I put in enough to give it a nice shape. I have it displayed flat with the leather straps on top on a table along with some personal items. Although there are differences in opinions, many collectors and museum employees feel that putting anything on old leather is not helpful and can possible be harmful to the leather. After looking into it more I decided not to put anything on my leather items. Some collectors say they've had good results with preservatives. Maybe do a little more research and see what works for you. It may depend on the condition of the untreated leather? There's a good bit of information to read online. If you're interested, I included a link to my knapsack that I posted awhile back.

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/late-war-double-bag-knapsack.116966/#post-1184646

Regards,
Frank

 

[Billw12280]

Hello Billw12280,
That's a really nice looking knapsack that you have!
I filled my knapsack with acid free paper that my wife had leftover from a project. I put in enough to give it a nice shape. I have it displayed flat with the leather straps on top on a table along with some personal items. Although there are differences in opinions, many collectors and museum employees feel that putting anything on old leather is not helpful and can possible be harmful to the leather. After looking into it more I decided not to put anything on my leather items. Some collectors say they've had good results with preservatives. Maybe do a little more research and see what works for you. It may depend on the condition of the untreated leather? There's a good bit of information to read online. If you're interested, I included a link to my knapsack that I posted awhile back.

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/late-war-double-bag-knapsack.116966/#post-1184646

Regards,
Frank

Thanks for the input, I'll definitely do more research on the pros and cons of treating old leather. I never thought of using acid free paper but that's an excellent idea. Your knapsack appears to be in spectacular shape! I'm not sure how common they are nowadays but I was very excited to acquire mine. I'm sure mine is probably old, unused stock too but amazing nonetheless. I have a glass display case I'll be putting it in with some personal items to show what would have been carried in it like ucvrelics.com suggested.

 

[James N.]

I keep mine in a cedar chest where unfortunately it does nobody any good! These were very common and available back in the 1960's during the Civil War Centennial when I sent off the princely sum of $12.50 to get it by mail order. A now-deceased reenacting and collecting friend of mine told me that when he went to Bannerman's Island back in the 1950's there were huge stacks of bundles of these things sitting and rotting in the puddles of water on the floor from leaks in the roof.

 

[Billw12280]

Mine was 10 times that amount but in my opinion still a bargain. It's in pretty good shape considering they were kind of throw away items, I would imagine the one I have was surplus from somewhere. I would think a cedar chest would be the safest place for it.

 

[Package4]

Mine was 10 times that amount but in my opinion still a bargain. It's in pretty good shape considering they were kind of throw away items, I would imagine the one I have was surplus from somewhere. I would think a cedar chest would be the safest place for it.

Looks to be from the '64 contract inspected by Valentine as I recall, check the shoulder straps on the finished side and you should see it.

 

[Billw12280]

Looks to be from the '64 contract inspected by Valentine as I recall, check the shoulder straps on the finished side and you should see it.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any inspectors marks on this one.

 

[Banjo Pete]

Amazing what a tough, versatile thing leather is when new. Seems infinitely adaptable, shapeable, bendable, etc.

But when it comes to artifacts... whew, it can look brand new and and fall to pieces with the slightest abuse... even with all of the currently available restoratives...