How to Package
One of the best aspects of getting paper goods from one place to another is that they can be shipped inexpensively in an appropriately sized envelope. Don’t assume, however, that the shipper won’t bend or fold the envelope in transit. That’s a huge mistake. Whether you’re dealing with a vintage postcard, an entire newspaper, or a piece of sheet music, you should always place a piece of cardboard the same size as the envelope inside with the item. In addition, it’s not a bad idea to put paper goods inside a plastic sleeve or bag before placing them in the envelope to further protect them. After all, you never know when the postal service might be delivering in the rain and, believe it or not, reports of waterlogged mail are not unheard of in collecting circles. Avoid using newspaper when packing ephemera, however, as the ink can rub off and soil the item you’re shipping. If the envelope you’re using is a little large, consider folding it over to fit the size of the protective cardboard and taping it accordingly. When you find the need to do this, keep in mind that it’s much easier to address the envelope after it’s folded down to size. Consider how you’ve packed the item inside the envelope before addressing it, however. If you think a marker might seep through or pressing down on the envelope with a pen might damage the item within, consider using a pre-addressed stick-on label instead or addressing the envelope before placing the item inside. That’s the economy version; you can also buy lightweight cardboard envelopes that are a little more costly at office-supply stores. These work very well with paper collectibles and provide a little more protection than a paper envelope affords. Or, if it’s a pricey item, you may just want to send it via Priority Mail and use an envelope provided by the United States Postal Service. Some of those are the flimsy side though, so you may still have to fortify with cardboard to keep them from bending in transit
Step-by-Step Instructions
With some care, you can make sure even the most fragile forms of ephemera make it to their destinations unscathed.
