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 ========================================================= 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).