patricia l roath wrote:
>
> OK, I gotta jump in here.
>
> First of all, nothing personal to Frances or anyone else, but...
>
> PLEASE think carefully before using extant period costume ("vintage") for
> anything other than museum exhibit.  If it's yours, and its long-term
> existance is unimportant, then of course you can do with it what you
> choose.  But use in uncontrolled conditions, including wearing, severely
> compromises any textile or clothing object.  Alterations to extant period
> costume can quite literally destroy any historical significance that
> piece may have had.
>
> To quote a 1986 resolution of the Costume Society of America: "The Costume
>  Society of America acknowledges that clothing is designed an created to
> be worn.  However with age or associations, clothing takes on particular
> values and meanings and deserves special care and consideration.  The
> wearing of articles of attire inevitably exposes them to dangers of
> damage and deterioration; these dangers increase with the age and/or
> fragility of such articles.
>         Therefore, The Costume Society of America encourages persons and
> organizations carged with the preservation of costume to prohibit the
> wearing or modeling of articles INTENDED FOR PRESERVATION.
>           Further, The Costume Society of America discourages any action
> which alters the original state of such articles.  Since any information
> related to the provenance, condition and treatment of costume enhances
> the understanding, meaning and value of an article of adornment, The
> Costume Society of America strongly urges that all such information
> should be collected and made available when that article is transferred
> to another party."
>
> For those of you who wonder what the CSA is, its succintly stated mission
> is to "advance the global understanding of all aspects of dress and
> appearance".
>
> Now, reproduction is an entirely different issue...
>
> Pat Roath
> Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection
> Indiana University
> Bloomington, IN
> [log in to unmask]
>

When I was on the Board of CSA this was the main area I was interested in.
I am proud that CSA came up with these guidelines.  They are something
that should be paid attention to.  You cannot replace what has ben altered or
destroyed.

~!~ R.L. Shep
> >