I'm suprised I haven't seen conservators pipe up on this one. I'm no
conservator, but I know that most plastics and wood products are not
archivally accepted and should therefor preclude use as storage mediums.
Naturally if there is an archival quality hanger on the market buy it.
Chances are the following method is as acceptable and much cheaper.

We use plain painted steel hangers padded using strips of 1/16"
ethafoam. The ethafoam not only pads, but acts as a barrier between the
hanger and costume. I cut a strip about 2.5" wide, by a suitable length
(enough to cover the metal from shoulder to shoulder). I poke the hanger
through the center of two strips of ethafoam, tinker, and secure using
25 lb. nylon fishing line. This provides adequate padding and protection
in what I believe to be an archivally sound way. If you need more
padding, just use more layers of ethafoam. If you need a more robust
hanger, just add another one to this system. This method is used for
hanging sturdy pieces. Fragile material is folded into economic acid
free 5" X 16" X 20" boxes with ethafoam used for both padding the folds
and separating the objects, or material is rolled, which ever is most
appropriate.  I should write this up some time.

I hope this helps.

Terry Vidal
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Terry Vidal
Collections Manager
University Museum
University Of Northern Iowa

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