Anita Cohen-Williams wrote:
>
> Can someone help on this?
>
> >Date:         Tue, 25 Nov 1997 04:51:14 GMT
> >Reply-To:     Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sender:       Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
> >From:         Aqualieb <[log in to unmask]>
> >Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
> >Subject:      Ethical Question
> >To:           [log in to unmask]
> >
> >An avocational group that I am treasurer of has concluded an
> archaeological and
> >historical investigation of one of the sites we have been involved with
> >recently.
> >
> >At the site, we recovered a clump of material that contained about a hundred
> >buttons.  Our newly forming museum needs only a few dozen and a few thousand
> >more buttons remain on board.  We are not interested in recovering any more
> >than what we already have.
> >
> >I could return the buttons to the wrecksite, but we are talking about a only
> >few dozen buttons; they fit in the palm of your hand.  We are a non-profit
> >group involved in fund-raising for our museum and would like to sell off the
> >remaining buttons to area museums and other interested buyers.  I don't
> know if
> >museums that have over-burdened inventories do the same or not.  I would like
> >to sell these buttons to benefit our museum project, which in itself is a
> >cultural boon to the community.  Is this ethically correct?
> >
> >Please post responses, viewpoints and opinions here.  Please, do not
> e-mail me
> >directly.
> >
> >Thank you,
> >Aqualieb
> >
> >
>
> Anita Cohen-Williams
> Listowner of HISTARCH, SUB-ARCH, and SPANBORD
> Co-listowner/manager of ANTHRO-L
> Contributing Editor, Anthropology, Suite101 <http://www.suite101.com>
> [log in to unmask]

I saw your recent request on Underwater Sub-Arch. Personally, if and
only if these are surpluss buttons and nothing more can be gained from
their study could I understand the sale of them. To aide your museum in
its financial goals is a worthy cause to generate monies for, by the
sale of such artifacts.

I would be interested in several of the buttons to add to our
collection. Please e-mail me with more information as to time period and
wrecksite, as well as what you are asking for them to add support to
your project.

Sincerley Submitted,

James Michon
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