Cold storage for fur

I am researching for a short article on the care and storage of fur.
I would be interested in any "real" information I can find. Personal
experiences, as well as any papers or articles on fur care would be
appreciated.

I spent some years providing commercial fur cleaning and fur storage
to the fur trade, but most of my knowledge is either practical or
anecdotal. My own experience is that beyond the obvious damage from
insects, vermin, mould, or exposure to high levels of moisture, a
well made fur garment will remain strong for many years. There is no
doubt in my mind that poor storage (high heat +/or humidity) will
hasten aging, but does cold storage retard aging substantially more
than storage at constant room temperature and constant humidity?

Keepsafe Systems (of which I am President) is presently offering an
Anoxic Textile and Fur Storage Kit (a barrier film bag with a
cleverly sealed hanging device, a re-usable sealing clip, and a
supply of Ageless oxygen scavenger). These bags are presently in use
by consumers in Japan, where cold storage is unusual.  I am certain
of their effecatiousness in preventing insect damage, and in theory
the oxygen free atmosphere will retard aging to a degree, but I
would be curious to have a better idea of how the cool temperatures
(about 45 deg. F.) of a properly maintained fur vault compare with
fur storage at room temperature.

Have the pelts on older "stuffed" animals suffered compared to pelts
of a comparable age kept in a cold environment?  Has anyone done a
long term study to determine the usefulness of cold storage? Is cold
storage more of a myth than a necessity? Thank you in advance for
your help.

Jerry Shiner

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:17
                 Distributed: Thursday, August 17, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-17-011
                                  ***