Greetings fellow Listers.

I am in the middle of processing a large amount of clown material.
Interspersed between the 60 inch waistbands, checkerboard clown shoes, and
plastic fish are a number of makeup containers with remains of makeup still
inside.  Obviously, preserving the container is a top priority and I start
by removing any makeup still inside.  The question I pose is whether I
should keep the makeup?  If I do, does anyone know how best to preserve old
makeup/cosmetics?  I am slightly concerned about how the material has aged
over the last 50 years or so and how it might affect any container I place
it in.  Some of the material is still quite soft while others, like a
container of nose putty, is rock hard.  I would love to hear from other
museums that have handled this kind of situation.

Thanks,
Elisabeth

-----------------------------
Elisabeth A. Engel
Curator of Artifacts
Circus World Museum
550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913-2597
U.S.A.
phone 608.356.8342 ext. 3286
fax 608.355.7959
e-mail [log in to unmask]
http://www.circusworldmuseum.com
http://www.circusparade.com



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