Good suggestion, David. I'd like to make it clear
that other than the red loss on clay composition
chips as mentioned by others, I've also had red lost
on Mother-of-Pearl chips when they were in contact
with PVC flips. As I've also mentioned earlier
regarding the M-O-P, salt may have something to do
with the reaction...I don't know. My biggest loss
was with vintage jetons and plaques of plastic
laminate and Celluloid-type pieces. When I say
loss, I'm referring to what would look like a
meltdown of plastic where the paints in the graphics
would run and lunettes would reduce in size and
become dislarged within the piece. Remember, I'm
describing plastic and not the clay chips of today.
What Susan has described on the club bb regarding
other material is exaxctly what happend to some of
my rarer plaques. It's been suggested that oil and
brightners could cause a reaction, but I think
everyone knows that I don't clean chips with
anything other than a dry brush or cotton cloth, nor
do I apply anything to their surfaces. My caution
and concern was mainly to alert those who may have
older plastic types as noted above....but now that I
read that Susan has done tests with other materials
used in chips, I'd like to learn more.. I would also
like to suggest that the label on these storage
products be read before you start flirting with
flame.
Some will say "SAFE" and some will say PVC-FREE.
The loss of these piece (of which some are only 2 or
3 known) could only be from their contact with PVC
and various plasticizers...as their matching pieces
that were housed in paper or cotton are doing quite
well. Those who have viewed portions of my
collection either in the vaults or on exhibits know
the pride and care I take withh each and every piece.

JB