Dear Bernard and Fellow Colleagues:

Since "Museum Security" is out of print and may be difficult to obtain,
I enclose the text of the sign in question.  This sign appears on page
144 of "Museum Security" - set it up the way your institution would like
and with whatever graphics you would like to use.

Of course, in using this text - you are also encouraged (if not
obligated) to attend The National Conference On Cultural Property
Protection - 7-12 March 1999 in Los Angeles, CA sponsored by the
Smithsonian Institution and hosted by The Getty Trust.  We will be
meeting with The International Committee On Museum Security of ICOM. For
additional details and books on "Cultural Property Protection", visit
the Museum Bookstore and the Cultural Property Protection Page on the
MSI Web Site at the address below.

For our International Colleagues - please translate this text into your
language(s).

"WHY WE ASK YOU NOT TO TOUCH"

We hope your grandchildren ---- and their grandchildren too ---- will
someday visit the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

We hope the fine works of art you are seeing will be here for them to
see in the future, in just as fine condition as they are today.

Which is why we ask you not to touch.

Almost everyone knows that a painting is fragile and may be permanently
damaged by even the gentlest touch. In fact, most damage is caused by
innocent touches.  One finger touching may not seem like much but a
million fingers will touch a painting out of existence.

Few people realize the same is true of sculpture.  Even bronze is not as
sturdy as it looks.  The tiny trace of moisture from your finger can, in
time, strip the patina from bronze and rust the strongest steel.
Fingernails and rings will, in time, gouge deep furrows in stone or
wood.  Halndled carelessly, glass will crack and plaster break.

Children cannot be expected to understand unless you instruct them and
control their actions in the Museum.  A museum is a serious place -----
for study, contemplation and pleasure.  It is not a playground.

Please help us preserve our collection.

END OF TEXT__________________________________________________

Kind Regards

Roger Wulff
Executive Board - The International Committee On Museum Security of ICOM
Manager of the Trade Show - The National Conference On Cultural Property
Protection

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