Hi, Sabrina.
My understanding of Museology 101 is that physical numbers are intentionally
non-permanent when applied to significant artifacts. In the case of a demo
prop that is regarded as expendable, I would not hesitate to use a stamped
or engraved number or permanent ink if I thought the object would be handled
so much that a lighter numbering system would fail. An electro-pencil
engraver might be a compromise between removable marking and a Dremel tool
or machinist's stamps.
It comes down to your future intentions for the artifact. If it is a
significant historical piece that needs to be preserved in its original
condition, maybe it doesn't belong in a collection intended for hands-on
use. My own approach is to weigh the benefits. Does the value of the
temporary (but hopefully important) educational experience outweigh the need
to keep this particular item unblemished forever? In the case of a wooden
spoon or a WWII mess kit with no particular story, quite possibly. In the
case of the original print of a family photograph, maybe not.
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Sabrina Henneman
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 10:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items
How does one deal with items that might, in the course of use, not maintain
a number painted on? I am loathe to get a dremmel and cut numbers into
cooking pots, wooden cooking utensils, blacksmithing equipment, etc. but are
there no good alternatives? High heat paint? (But that only comes in black,
doesn't it?) We also have a large site with multiple buildings, so it can't
be assumed that stuff will stay in a building and therefore easily be
tracked. At the same time, old numbers on permanent collection items
sometimes flake off (disturbingly often), and we can't assume if it has no
number, it is safe to use.
Sabrina Henneman
Collections Registrar
Genesee Country Museum
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Museum of Ashe County History
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 10:04 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items
We enter our Demonstration Collection props into our tracking software using
the same numbering system that we use for our permanent collections, but
designating the collection as Demonstration. This collection is composed of
items that are either reproductions or duplicates easily replaced, or
sufficiently durable (like a railroad spike) that significant damage is
unlikely. Because these items are Museum property, we track them in our
system just like other artifacts.
If you need to have a mark physically on the artifact, a simple letter
prefix to the registration number, like E for Education, or D for
Demonstration, should suffice. We mark solid objects with an archival ink
or painted number over a contrasting acrylic paint stripe sealed with clear
fingernail polish. For textile artifacts we use archival ink on a strip of
cotton tape attached to the item with a couple of basting stitches (this is
lap work that some of our older female volunteers really enjoy doing).
Don Long
Curator
The Museum of Ashe County History, Inc.
PO Box 1404
Jefferson, NC 28640
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Foster, Lisa C CIV
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items
Hi,
I'm just wondering what everyone else does to mark Education Collection
items. We have everything from uniforms to mess kits to patches that need
to
be marked. I don't want to spend much time on marking but at the same time
can't really come up with good ways that are quick and different from the
ways we mark our Permanent Collection items.
Thanks,
Lisa Foster
Museum Registrar
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
Building 850
Camp Shelby, MS 39407
601-558-2337
601-558-2377 - fax
[log in to unmask]
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