I'm suprised I haven't seen conservators pipe up on this one. I'm no conservator, but I know that most plastics and wood products are not archivally accepted and should therefor preclude use as storage mediums. Naturally if there is an archival quality hanger on the market buy it. Chances are the following method is as acceptable and much cheaper. We use plain painted steel hangers padded using strips of 1/16" ethafoam. The ethafoam not only pads, but acts as a barrier between the hanger and costume. I cut a strip about 2.5" wide, by a suitable length (enough to cover the metal from shoulder to shoulder). I poke the hanger through the center of two strips of ethafoam, tinker, and secure using 25 lb. nylon fishing line. This provides adequate padding and protection in what I believe to be an archivally sound way. If you need more padding, just use more layers of ethafoam. If you need a more robust hanger, just add another one to this system. This method is used for hanging sturdy pieces. Fragile material is folded into economic acid free 5" X 16" X 20" boxes with ethafoam used for both padding the folds and separating the objects, or material is rolled, which ever is most appropriate. I should write this up some time. I hope this helps. Terry Vidal -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TAG - YOU'RE 'IT' Terry Vidal Collections Manager University Museum University Of Northern Iowa [log in to unmask] http://www.uni.edu/museum If you can read this YOU'RE close enough. _______________________________________________________________________ ========================================================= 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).