On Wed, 3 Mar 1999 10:50:54 -0700 Tim McShane <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>......in our effort to preserve and tell the story of A. V. Roe Canada,
we want to collect and preserve (as much as
>possible, and among other things) components and equipment associated
with the CF-105 Avro Arrow jet >fighter. Now, upon cancellation of the
Arrow programme in 1959, all Arrow components, equipment, drawings,
>etc., were to be destroyed (by whose order is still in dispute--no one
seems to want to claim responsibility for
>ordering the destruction, although it was government contractors that
carried out the work). Therefore, for >anything to have survived of the
Arrow project, the dictates of the government had to be disobeyed,
breaking the >law.
Very good point. I would also hasten to direct you to the National
Archives where "illicit" material has been collected as a matter of
course; I don't mean it is done in a cavalier manner; I mean that I am
sure than certain national security reports and CIA type activity that
has produced reports/objects might also be considered "illicit" due to
the nature in which the material has been obtained (spying, etc.). We
collect items which just happen to come to us as part of someone's
personal belongings, and we really don't attach a label to them (such as
"illicit") because we are more concerned about the history of the item
itself, and the way it can be interpreted for further discussion of that
particular person's role in life and overall society.
I think that the general museum populace has a good grasp of what is
considered "illicit" due to the legislation that is out there as well as
ethical writings that have been produced by various authors and museum
organizations. There's nothing we can do about the hidden motives that
people harbor when it comes to acquiring collections, but as
professionals we do understand that when an item is offered for donation,
and you have the mere suspicion that the item might have a "funny"
background, you just don't go there. For those things that are already
in the collection, you do the best you can to research its background and
make it as solid an item as you can within the limited information you
might have. If you suspect an item it is part of illegally traded
objects, or stolen material, by all means begin an inquiry.
O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544; e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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