How to take best care of fragile props and display them?

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Hello everyone,

I joined this forum because I wanted to ask you for your help regarding best preservation of my props.
I have few props that are production used and they are over 30 years old.
I moved them to my new wooden display cabinet,but I would like to add LED lights and have them illuminated pretty much always.
However,since some are made of polyurethane and latex and I'm very afraid that they will degrade if they have constant light over them,and temperature in cabinet would probably rise as well because of light.
I also read that UV from LED lights are damaging stuff if they are over items directly.
I was thinking about putting lights indirectly behind cabinet,but I still want to be 100% sure that no degradation will happen.Also,I'm not sure that props will handle well dry and warm air.
Since I'm pretty fresh with collecting props,I would like to know what else can I do to preserve my props for years to come?

Can you guys tell me your opinion?

All the best,
Samuel

 

[MattgomeryBurns]

Welcome to the forum. There was a great thread about this on the Movie Props facebook page, more specifically related to humidity: Anthony Jan
btw if you're not a member there, it's a great resource for screen used/production made props.

 

[Apollo]

Light is a huge no no for any thing Latex

I have my Odo appliance in a display case custom built for it but it is always shrouded with a black cloth so NO light gets in

Light and heat will take its toll on them but if you store them correctly they can last a long time.

I have a Screen used Battle For The Planet Of The Apes Gorillia appliance and it is still like the day I got it in the 70’s but it is always tucked away in a cool dark drawer

 

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Thanks MattgomeryBurns,I read thread you recommended and it was very informative.

Apollo,I will definitely not use any sort of lights then.
You said that you have yours always shrouded with cloth,but will displaying props in normal ''behind glass'' really damage them that much?
To me,this pieces are priceless and condition and preservation is at first place,but is there any way to display them to be visible without damaging them?