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Author
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Topic: Matting Apollo Beta cloth patches for display
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spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 12-13-2011 02:36 PM
   
I am seeking guidance on how to matte Beta cloth patches.There was a very nice double matted Apollo 13 Beta cloth patch (item #512) in RR Auction #376 that ended Sept. 22 of this year. (Unfortunately I can not bring up a picture of it from past auctions.) Anyway, I would appreciate guidance or a link on how to matte these type patches. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-13-2011 09:39 PM
I recently had two done and my framer did a great job. They used acid-free plastic corners on the fabric and attached them to the back of the mat, so there is no direct adhesive contact with the beta.Mine were both from astronaut personal collections, so I framed them with signed photos of each one. One thing I don't like is when betas are trimmed or matted down to just the patch image. To me, all of that white is "original Apollo spacesuit material" so I prefer to have the full 9x9 patch shown. Invest in the pro framing...don't just stick it in a Wal-Mart frame and by all means, do NOT allow the beta to be in contact with the glass! Hope this helps. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 12-14-2011 04:43 PM
Agreed on showing the whole 9x9 patch [or other sizes]. For most of mine I use a 10x10 square frame which shows entire patch edge to edge. There are some gorgeous mattes. I won a Skylab Bean/Garriot/Lousma signed beta at an ASF event that has a double circular [red/white/blue] matte which looks realy cool. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-14-2011 07:31 PM
My advice would be to not spend a lot of money aimed at treating beta cloth as though it can be easily damaged. Although these emblems are not indestructible, they are very durable. |
arjuna
unregistered
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posted 12-14-2011 10:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
One thing I don't like is when betas are trimmed or matted down to just the patch image.
Yes, by all means please don't trim a beta cloth. Not only does their value decrease substantially, but (in my opinion) we have an obligation to maintain them in as close to original condition as possible.
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328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-15-2011 09:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Go4Launch:
My advice would be to not spend a lot of money aimed at treating beta cloth as though it can be easily damaged. Although these emblems are not indestructible, they are very durable.
I would have to respectfully disagree with this opinion. While we're not referring to real-world use, some beta patches seen on museum-displayed training suits are heavily frayed and creased. Hence the plastic covering usually seen on the flag and NASA meatball patches on the shoulders of the Apollo suits.The astronauts were seated shoulder to shoulder in the CM, so these patches rubbed constantly and the glass fibers of the beta wore out easily. I have a pic of John Young's training suit somewhere. For the purposes of our discussion, the wrinkles and creases can occur, and I get pretty nervous watching a framer handle my patches if they are not aware of this. Once one gets creased, it's not coming out! Aside from that issue, definitely go for UV-blocking glass. The beta itself will be protected just fine in the mat and frame, but you'd hate to have the screen print or any signatures faded by direct or indirect sunlight. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-15-2011 10:03 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
I recently had two done and my framer did a great job. They used acid-free plastic corners on the fabric and attached them to the back of the mat, so there is no direct adhesive contact with the beta.
When I was making up flown flag displays for Al Worden, the framer who made the mattes would actually used a mono filament type material to stitch them to the backbord.This was after seeing the yellow tape disintegrate from old NASA displays. I got the idea from Paul Weitz's mattings he used for his flown flags and patches. Nothing to hurt the flag (or beta, I did a couple of those also) and completely invisible until you get REALLY close.
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Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-15-2011 10:47 PM
To respond to 328KF's comments, once these items are framed and behind glass, there's not much that can happen to them. My point is, there's no need to go to extremes as you would with a very fragile item. The plastic coverings seen on the insignia during the J missions were for appearances to help prevent them from getting dirty with lunar dust, not to prevent them from falling apart. I once subjected an Apollo 12 emblem to hot-water hand washing and then a hot steam iron, and it was completely undamaged. |
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