Karin,

     The Museum Store Association's Code of Ethics (adopted 1981, revised
     1996) is very clear.  It states:

     "The sale of any deaccessioned materials through the museum store is
     unethical. Even though the item may have been officially
     deaccessioned, the public may perceive the transaction as the museum
     store participating in the liquidation of the museum's collection."

     The phone number I have for the association is (303)329-6968; address
     is 501 South Cherry Street, Suite 460, Denver, CO 80222-1325.

     Holly Young
     Curator of Collections
     Pueblo Grande Museum
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______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Selling Objects Through the Museum Shop
Author:  Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> at INTERNET-MAIL
Date:    8/6/98 10:24 AM


     Recently an issue has been brought to my attention by a group of board
     members who want to raise money to benefit their museums' collections
     by selling deaccessioned objects through the museum shop. This is not
     an area that I would normally have even thought of
     but in order to investigate all angles before I advise the Board I
     would like any input from anyone on the list with regards to:


     -Do any of your museums sell "antiques" (such as china, jewelry,
      furniture or other items) in their shops?

     -If so, how have you acquired such pieces for resale? Are they
      donations, purchases, or what?

     -How do you deal with paperwork; what sort of paperwork do you
      require, etc.

     -What sort of legal issues have cropped up and how have you dealt
      with them?

     -How have your visitors responded?  Do they think that the museum
      is selling off part of its collections?

     -What problems/benefits have you had from this experience?

     -Have your boards adopted official policies about doing or not doing
      this activity?


     Thanks in advance for advising on this sticky subject.

     Karin Johnston
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