Maybe Oprah will kick the Smithsonian a few million bucks as a thank you. And, I sure the travel with the arm guards and the first class ticket were a publicity stunt paid for by Oprah. (But that still doesn't give her the right to touch the stuff.) Let's not forget why a lot of us got into the field: because we get to handle this COOL stuff! Now lets ask the question: Lets say, hypothetically, you had something really cool in your collection. George Washington's wooden teeth, Abe Lincoln's stovepipe hat, the ruby slippers, the Declaration of Independence, Marilyn Monroe's dress something lick that. Would you let a potential (very large) donor touch it? (Properly of course). All the best, patPatrick R. Weissend Director Holland Land Office Museum 131 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-4727 www.hollandlandoffice.com -----Original Message----- From: "Pete Lundskow" <[log in to unmask]> Sent 1/24/2008 3:11:28 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: The Ruby Slipper incidentAn interesting side note to this is the slippers may or may not have been worn by Judy Garland. In the link mentioned in the first posting on this subject there is mention of a book by Rhys Thomas "The Ruby slippers of Oz". In this book there is a note that states there is no actually proof that she did ware the Smithsonian pair. The question being does the Smithsonian have the documentation to prove she wore this pair? If not this brings up the other issue that often comes up in our profession about claiming things that are not so, the "George Washington Slept Here" syndrome. My two cents on the issue is I agree with an earlier comment about having them in a sealed Plexiglas box could have avoided the whole issue. Peter Lundskow -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deb Fuller Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:48 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] The Ruby Slipper incident On Jan 24, 2008 2:20 PM, Karen Eckhaus <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > My take on it... > > After the care taken to transport them, being told what delicate shape > they're in and being asked to put on curatorial gloves, Oprah SHOULD have > had the sense to know that they shouldn't be flung around! EXACTLY!! A quotation from the transcript of the show: Oprah Winfrey: "Can I touch them? Am I allowed to touch them?" Dr. Glass: "No, you're not allowed to touch them. But if you, you uh-" Oprah Winfrey: "So glad I asked. I saw everyone with gloves on - you have to touch them with gloves on, right?" [Oprah picks up gloves] Dr. Glass: "Uh, well, yeah, I don't even touch them with gloves on. but, well, uh-" Oprah Winfrey: "I just want to touch them." --------------------------- Oprah is being a bossy celebrity and using her media skills to bulldoze over a curator who is out of his league. I'm sure he was nervous being on national TV next to a big star and tried to steer her away from touching them as best as he could. But geez woman, if the curator who flew the objects to your studio in a special box with armed guards says "No," ya think he has a reason? I think in situations like this, museums should have speciality trained "media curators" who have experience speaking on camera and dealing with celebrities. It takes a special skill to tactfully put your foot down when it comes to handling your objects as well as the ability to think on your feet and disarm celebrities who want to touch objects or play around with them while on the air. They also need the authority to say "I'm sorry but you either broke our conditions or did not meet them for having our objects on your show and therefore we will not allow you show them on the air." You also need a good PR department to spin that in your favor. No media coverage is worth endangering or damaging priceless objects nor should curators have to put up with media celebs who think they can play around with national treasures just because they have gloves on. I didn't have much respect for Oprah before and I certainly don't have any respect for her now. Deb ======================================================== Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located athttp://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). -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.10/1241 - Release Date: 1/24/2008 9:58 AM ======================================================== 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). ========================================================= 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).