Allison,

I also use the B72 base coat (30% in acetone).  When numbering objects
my general rule of thumb is:  if it's a light background use black ink
for the number, if it's a dark background use white ink for the number.

This appears more aesthetic than having white bands on objects.

Janet Pathe
Assistant Collection Manager
History & Technology Collection
Museum of Victoria, Australia

>----------
>From:  Allison Smith[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent:  Monday, 21 April 1997 11:46 PM
>To:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject:       Re: Painting accession numbers on bronze
>
>I believe that the Light Impressions product that the original poster refers
>to is B72 (mixed with what, I don't know - acetone possibly), sold in a nail
>-polish type bottle with the little brush built in.  It is sold in both
>clear and white.  I'd be interested to know what the white ingredient is,
>and if it is archival. It looks awfully convenient.
>
>I still use B72 (mixed with acetone for sake of ease), with white acrylic
>paint on dark objects.  I played with Soluvar, but found that it flaked off
>too easily for my comfort. In regards to the aesthetic point that Suzanne
>makes about a white band on a dark object, I agree that it is
>inappropritate, but only if an area on the object can not be found  that is
>hidden from view (like the underside or base of the object) . Personally,
>the two main (aesthetic vs/ practical) criteria I consider before placing a
>mark on an object are:
>
>1) where can I place this number where it won't aesthetically compromise
>that integrity of the piece,( i.e. won't be seen) : ), especially while on
>display
>2) where can I place this number so that if the tag is ever lost, people can
>easily identify it
>
>Unfortunately, it is not always that easy to find a happy medium between the
>two criteria.  and to those of you out there who don't or haven't yet marked
>objects, there is much more to it that choosing the appropriate method.
>Hopefully, the AAM workshop will cover all aspects of marking, including
>archival vs. non archival methods, aesthetics, theory, and practicality.
>
>
>
>
>At 11:01 AM 4/19/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>I wouldn't use it, without a conservators blessing, but a white band
>>painted on a bronze might be aesthetically inappropriate.  A similar sized
>>band of clear soluvar (synthetic varnish) with a number painted discretely
>>in red acrylic paint and then covered with another layer of clear soluvar
>>would be preferrable in that it is certainly reversable without damage to
>>the bronze (using the appropriate solvent) and it does not draw much
>>attention to itself.
>>
>>I would suggest further that the workshop on number marking (Friday at
>>AAM), will be the definitive workshop on the subject.
>>
>>
>>Suzanne
>>
>>************
>>Suzanne Quigley
>>Head Registrar, Collections and Exhibitions
>>Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
>>1071 Fifth Avenue
>>New York, NY 10128
>>212 423 3568
>>fax: 212 423 3650
>>email: [log in to unmask]
>>
>****************************************************************************
>****************************************
>Allison A. Smith                        Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum
>of Art
>Registrar                               Marquette University
>[log in to unmask]           Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
>****************************************************************************
>****************************************
>