The Antique Roadshow: A Guide to Safely Ferrying Priceless Relics Cross-Country

Keeping historical relics safe across continents doesn't need to be a worry anymore - take heart fellow history enthusiast! We have you covered.

Photo by Alexandre Valdivia on Unsplash

Pack Like a Pro

Antiques can be delicate objects, much like the fragile egos of comedians when no one laughs at their jokes. The key to protecting these historical gems from damage during transport is packing. While you might fancy using your grandmother's doilies to wrap and cushion your precious items, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are your go-to materials for proper cushioning - think of these magical materials as extra protective parents at playgrounds: never too much padding is never a bad thing!

The Shipping Route: It's Not About the Journey, But the Destination

Whilst walking down the Appalachian Trail with your grandfather clock may sound like an exciting adventure, it certainly won't be. When selecting a route, keep distance, climatic conditions, and potholed roads all in mind when selecting your route. Home delivery services, antique movers or even air freight are all viable solutions - remembering that sometimes straight paths don't exist when transporting something as expensive as Persian rugs!

Hand Carrying Antiques: When You Want Absolute Security Sometimes the safest way to transport antiques is doing it yourself. At airport security, explaining why you're carrying around an 18th-century samovar can be awkward; but being an antique collector shouldn't be easy! Carrying them yourself ensures their precious treasures receive all of your tender care. Remember though that this method may not always be practical or appropriate if your item of choice is something larger, such as a 6-foot-tall Victorian mirror or marble bust of Julius Caesar. But for smaller items that can fit easily in hand luggage this approach provides safe protection. Sometimes doing it yourself is the only way!

Hiring a Moving Company:
Your Superheroes in Disguise

​If your antique collection rivals that of the British Museum, professional moving services could save both backache and emotional strain in transporting it all. Moving companies like Allied Van Lines serve as real-life superheroes of the antique world, utilizing expert packing skills, specialist equipment and knowledge of safe transportation to quickly secure items for safe transport. Professional moving services have years of experience handling everything from grandma's ceramic cat collection to an awkwardly large mahogany armoire, and are equipped with insurance should anything unexpected go wrong during transit. Just be sure to choose a reputable company with plenty of positive reviews who specialize in moving precious cargo - it may cost more but peace of mind is priceless!

Store It Then Ship It

Another option for transporting antiques involves the "store and forward" method, in which your valuable items can be safely stored until you're ready for shipment. This service can come in especially handy with international relocations where import/export regulations may prove tricky.

Conclusion

Transporting antiques long distances is no small undertaking. It requires extensive planning, the appropriate resources, and an understanding approach in order to keep our beloved pieces of history safe during their epic travels. With this in mind, let's all hope that successful antique roadshows take place and that your odds for safe transit increase as we go forward!