We have what I believe to be a whale tooth with scrimshaw all over it as
well, however, our tooth appears to have the center carved out and the item
number has been placed inside. When I have been in doubt about whether or
not to number an object, in your case a tooth with really no good place, I
do not place a number on the artifact.  If possible I tag the item, or place
in a archival plastic bag, and make sure the box is clearly labeled.  Check
Light Impressions, Gaylord and Talas for archival storage boxes and bags.
Another solution, which is a new process for me, is to print the accession
number in very small font on a piece of acid free paper and use B-72 to
attach the label to the inside of the tooth.  I would check with a
conservator about using B-72 on a porous surface like a tooth, or maybe one
of the other Museum_L members could chime in on this.

As far as numbering the tin, I would place the number on the underside of
the lid and on the bottom of the tin. Regarding the actual accession number,
our institution follows Museum Registration Methods by AAM guidelines of
placing an "A" and "B" after the accession number when dealing with several
parts which make up one artifact.  

In general object ID numbers are placed in the most inconspicuous place on
the artifact.

Shannon

from generation to generation 
The History Center in Tompkins County 
Shannon Lindridge, Collections Manager
401 East State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY 14850 
607.273.8284 ext.7 (FAX) 607.273.6107 
www.TheHistoryCenter.net <http://www.thehistorycenter.net/> 
email address: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Lancer 525
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 11:33 AM
To: MUSEUM-L.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Subject: Artifact Registration procedure question...


I'm working on catching up registration and accessioning of some artifacts 
which have not been entered into our catalog, and I have a question about 
the registration procedure...

Exactly where is usually the best location to permanently number items? I 
would think that
it is on the bottom or some other location not visible when the artifact is 
on display.

The reason I ask is, I have two artifacts that need to be permanently 
numbered, and I
just can't figure out a good place to put the number! One is a tooth from a 
Sperm Whale,
with scrimshaw all over it. There is no "bottom" on this piece. I would have

thought the
best place to put the number is inside the opening in the base of the tooth 
where the
root of the tooth used to be, but it's a very difficult place to reach.

The other artifact is a tin spice shaker. It looks like a miniature coffee 
cup in configuration,
about 2.375" high, 2" in diameter, with a small handle. The top comes off, 
and is perforated
in the same manner as spice shakers, with 15 small holes (approximately 
1/32") in the top.

I would put the number directly on the bottom of this piece, but I also 
thought about
putting it inside the shaker top.

This is the most important part of this post: Are there any GOOD online 
sources for this
type of procedural question? I have internet access at work, and can go 
online to do
any reference searches I need to, so if anyone can provide good website 
addresses for
registration and accession information, guidelines, etc, I would really 
appreciate it!!

Thanks!

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