Hi, Sabrina. My understanding of Museology 101 is that physical numbers are intentionally non-permanent when applied to significant artifacts. In the case of a demo prop that is regarded as expendable, I would not hesitate to use a stamped or engraved number or permanent ink if I thought the object would be handled so much that a lighter numbering system would fail. An electro-pencil engraver might be a compromise between removable marking and a Dremel tool or machinist's stamps. It comes down to your future intentions for the artifact. If it is a significant historical piece that needs to be preserved in its original condition, maybe it doesn't belong in a collection intended for hands-on use. My own approach is to weigh the benefits. Does the value of the temporary (but hopefully important) educational experience outweigh the need to keep this particular item unblemished forever? In the case of a wooden spoon or a WWII mess kit with no particular story, quite possibly. In the case of the original print of a family photograph, maybe not. Don -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sabrina Henneman Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 10:16 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items How does one deal with items that might, in the course of use, not maintain a number painted on? I am loathe to get a dremmel and cut numbers into cooking pots, wooden cooking utensils, blacksmithing equipment, etc. but are there no good alternatives? High heat paint? (But that only comes in black, doesn't it?) We also have a large site with multiple buildings, so it can't be assumed that stuff will stay in a building and therefore easily be tracked. At the same time, old numbers on permanent collection items sometimes flake off (disturbingly often), and we can't assume if it has no number, it is safe to use. Sabrina Henneman Collections Registrar Genesee Country Museum -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Museum of Ashe County History Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 10:04 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items We enter our Demonstration Collection props into our tracking software using the same numbering system that we use for our permanent collections, but designating the collection as Demonstration. This collection is composed of items that are either reproductions or duplicates easily replaced, or sufficiently durable (like a railroad spike) that significant damage is unlikely. Because these items are Museum property, we track them in our system just like other artifacts. If you need to have a mark physically on the artifact, a simple letter prefix to the registration number, like E for Education, or D for Demonstration, should suffice. We mark solid objects with an archival ink or painted number over a contrasting acrylic paint stripe sealed with clear fingernail polish. For textile artifacts we use archival ink on a strip of cotton tape attached to the item with a couple of basting stitches (this is lap work that some of our older female volunteers really enjoy doing). Don Long Curator The Museum of Ashe County History, Inc. PO Box 1404 Jefferson, NC 28640 -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Foster, Lisa C CIV Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:42 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Marking Education Collection Items Hi, I'm just wondering what everyone else does to mark Education Collection items. We have everything from uniforms to mess kits to patches that need to be marked. I don't want to spend much time on marking but at the same time can't really come up with good ways that are quick and different from the ways we mark our Permanent Collection items. Thanks, Lisa Foster Museum Registrar Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Building 850 Camp Shelby, MS 39407 601-558-2337 601-558-2377 - fax [log in to unmask] ========================================================= 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] . 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