In a message dated 1/13/2005 5:05:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< At the museum I used to work at, we too grappled with
 the props vs. artifacts question. When we catalogued
 items we developed a code to use. After the number we
 added a one letter code:
 A = artifact
 P = prop
 R = recreation (for items we had made to look exactly
 like an artifact we couldn't obtain)
 
 We also indicate if an item was a recreation to the
 museum visitor. >>

I think this is a good system.  My museum used to use a variation of it.  I'm 
not sure what our current practice is since I've been on the archives side of 
the aisle, although I recently heard an administrator inveigh against the 
idea of labeling replicas as such on the grounds that visitors don't care (to 
which I responded that I know for a fact that at least some do care).

I do have a quibble, Lisa, which I hope you'll excuse, especially since 
you're no longer associated with that museum.  I hope your labels said 
"re-creation" rather than "recreation," since the latter is open to mispronunciation and 
misunderstanding.  In any event, I would opt for a word like "replica" or 
"facsimile" rather than "re-creation."

David Haberstich

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