In a message dated 5/6/04 10:56:28 AM, [log in to unmask] writes: << I have come across several glass jars and metal tins containing > dirt and sand in my collection. I wonder how do others store, handle, > and display this? >> > ------------- Kim - The New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) has in their collection a large glass jar, containing a smaller bottle with Sand. An "old" tag (from the 1910s or perhaps earlier) on the bottle proclaimed, "Sand from the shoulder of the Sphinx." It's not *quite* in the collections scope of NYSHA, but none-the less we used it along with the famious Cardif Giant hoax and other great "stuff" when setting up a temporary "Museum of Wonders and Curiosities" -- a recreated 19th century museum in NYSHA's Farmers' Museum. At my current museum (located in a former fire station) we have filled several large jars with "authentic, historic, fire-horse oats" that were found in the walls of the former hayloft during our renovation. Indeed, we found so many oats that we filled tiny vials (about ten oats per vial), that we then labled, and presented as door-prizes to the retired firefighters during our reopening ceremony. They -- especialy those "old-timers" -- LOVED them! Neither of these little stories help you much, but I thought I'd let you know you are not the only museum with bottled "stuff!" -- David -- David Lewis, Curator Aurora Regional Fire Museum www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org ========================================================= 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).