When taking samples from this type of thing our practice is to (as far
as possible) make sure that the sample contains at least two repeats of
the pattern.

Trevor Reynolds
Collections Registrar, English Heritage, Room 530, 23 Savile Row, London
W1S 2ET, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 3482  Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 3209

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Gretchen Goodell
> Sent: 19 May 2004 18:18
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Wallpaper archive and storage
> 
> Annabelle and All,
> 
> We are debating similar issues at my institution with the storage of
> materials used in the decoration of the Mansion throughout its
> institutional
> history (1853 - Today).  We not only have wallpaper samples, but also
> floor
> covering, upholstery, and curtain fabrics that are currently on the
roll
> and
> taking up quite a lot of space.  Prior to my arrival the practice was
to
> take samples and store them in archival poly sleeves, labeled with
their
> manufacturer, date, and the manner in which they were used.
> 
> It is certainly a dilemma for us as to whether we should cut samples
or
> retain entire rolls.  Ideally, I would like to retain entire rolls for
> future researchers and scholars, but understand the practical
> impossibility
> of storing all of them.  If cutting needs to be done, of course we
will
> retain selvage edges and repeats of the pattern, but is that good
enough?
> 
> Looking forward to hearing other thoughts.
> 
> Gretchen M. Goodell
> Assistant Curator
> George Washington's Mount Vernon
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: annabelle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:16 AM
> Subject: Wallpaper archive and storage
> 
> 
> After years as a lurking subscriber to Museum-L, I would be interested
to
> hear
> any advice from professionals who have experience in the archival
storage
> of
> wallpaper.
> I work in the curatorial department of a London Museum that has a
small
> collection of wallpaper. The examples span from the 17thC and 18thC
> through
> to
> a large number of contemporary examples.
> 
> I am wondering how best to store the paper. The earleir examples are
> fragments
> which are mounted on acid free mount board with acid free tissue
cover.
> The
> later examples are on the roll.
> 
> With the rolls of paper,I am wondering whether to retain the entire
roll,
> or
> have lengths cut and mounted in a 'book' format for researchers to
use?
> 
> Any thoughts, advice ot experiences would all be greatfully received!
> 
> Annabelle
> 
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
> 
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
> message
> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
> "help"
> (without the quotes).
> 
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
> "Signoff
> Museum-L" (without the quotes).
> 
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
> 
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-
> faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands
by
> sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] .
The
> body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
> 
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).