Thank you to all who have replied via the listserv or direct email.
Good Friday Morning all,
I realize that conservators have differing opinions just like in every profession, yet it doesn't help me make a decision :(. Does anyone know of any studies (Dave, please sent me a reference to then silver case you cited) that might have been conducted? Or even better if there aren't any, would someone have the time, resources, and inclination to do a study for me? I'd really like to know how the procedure would work with items stored in less than optimal conditions!
Also, for those concerned, every bag of artifacts also has an identifying tag enclosed or attached.
Keep those thoughts coming and feel free to reply off-list but I suspect others would like the info as well.
Cheers and good weekend all,
Marybeth
Marybeth S. F. Tomka, M.A., PS Cert CM
Head of Collections
TARL
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station R7500
Austin, Texas 78712
512-475-6853 direct line
512-232-6563 fax
512-471-5960 TARL main phone
State Certified Repository
-----Original Message-----
Topics of the day:
4. use of paper labels for marking artifacts (3)
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:57:03 +0000
From: Marybeth S Tomka <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: use of paper labels for marking artifacts
Morning All,
I am the head of collections at a major archaeological repository in Texas and have been approached about using small paper tags embedded in B-72 to label artifacts instead of the old style writing on the artifact. I have spoken with people who swear by the new system, but as an "old" archaeologist, new methods scare me. Some of the fear comes from seen too many artifact that were adhered to boards with some type of adhesive that doesn't come off now. I also see that the old style labeling can be very messy, but fear that the gluing of labels to the artifacts could get very bad as well. I don't see an advantage since there would be a learning curve either way. So what has been your experience with labeling items this way?
Thanks in advance,
Marybeth
Marybeth S. F. Tomka, M.A., PS Cert CM
Head of Collections
TARL
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station R7500
Austin, Texas 78712
512-475-6853 direct line
512-232-6563 fax
512-471-5960 TARL main phone
State Certified Repository
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:10:44 -0700
From: "topladave ." <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: use of paper labels for marking artifacts
Hi Marybeth,
I'd like to read a technical paper with the details about this, the materials and methods they are using.
I think there could be issues with paper labels applied directly on artifacts, the primary one being the deterioration of the paper, especially if the paper is not acid-free. Acryloid B-72 is permeable to the atmosphere. A conservation science study on using it as a coating on silver showed that it had poor performance because the gaseous sulphides in the air were able to get through the B-72 coating and tarnish the silver underneath. So an organic material like paper would slowly deteriorate with oxygen, moisture, and other gaseous pollutants in air able to reach it. So I think that if you are applying numbers directly on the artifacts that using the B-72 system with inert acid-free inks or paints is certainly preferable.
I also think it is best practice to include a paper or mylar tag with the number tied to the artifact or in it's box or tray. Many years ago I saw some of the most important historical archaeological iron artifacts in the USA had lost their numbers because the iron had corroded, delaminated, and the surface with the numbers had spalled off into rusty dust. So It's a good idea to make sure that essential and unique number associated with the artifact remains with the artifact in a long term way.
Cheers!
Dave
David Harvey
Senior Conservator & Museum Consultant
Los Angeles CA USA
www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:30:46 -0500
From: Janean Mollet-Van Beckum <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: use of paper labels for marking artifacts
Hi Marybeth,
We started experimenting with rice paper and B-72 about 2 years ago. We have a huge collection of aluminum cookware (from a local producer) that I tried it on. It has always been difficult to label with the traditional pen method because the B-72 would always tear when writing with a sharp pen on a hard surface or flake off easily. So, our method was to put down a layer of B-72, while it is wet be layer on the paper, then another layer of B-72. Make sure the edges are flat and well adhered or it will come off easily.
It has worked much better than the old method for this surface. I have also found it better on more porous surfaces such as brick or wood where the labels would just soak in or it was too uneven to write on clearly. One other perk is that not all my collection staff and volunteers can use an ink pen effectively. We use the micron pens for the paper and that seems to be much easier for some. So, in my experience it has worked well in certain situations, but I still like the old pen and ink method for most items.
Hope that helps.
Janean Mollet-Van Beckum
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Washington County Historical Society
320 S 5th Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095-3333
(262) 335-4678 x121
www.historyisfun.com
End of MUSEUM-L Digest - 23 Sep 2015 to 24 Sep 2015 (#2015-245)
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