Teresa,
I do not work directly for a Museum, but I am a custom acrylic, museum
fabricator. In the past we have had many requests for clear acrylic label
holders. I was oblivious to what a museum would use these for (duh) until I
asked one of our clients.
They seem to have had a similar system as yours where they numbered the
objects and then had a master list on the wall directly next to the case.
(Or as in your case directly in front of the vitrine in plain sight)
I believe that numbering the objects and having a master list is the best
way to go. It is self explanatory and doesn't take away from the object by
having a detailed label right next to it full of text.  I also don't believe
too many people would have a hard time figuring out how the labeling system
works.

Warm Regards,

--
Tammy Espaillat
Just Plastics
250 Dyckman Street
New York, NY 10034
Tel - 212-569-8500
Fax - 212-569-6970
Site- www.justplastics.com









on 8/22/02 12:44 PM, Teresa Whitt at [log in to unmask] wrote:

> My museum currently uses an acrylic number for each object on display.  The
> viewer will look for the corresponding number on the one-sheet label that is
> attached to the front of the case.  I use this system instead of individual
> labels beside each object in the case.  Some patrons seem to like this, while
> others seem completely oblivious to the main label, and instead, ask staff
> members for information on the objects.  I am interested in other museum's
> stand on labels.  To number or not to number, that is the question!
>
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