I can't remember which TV broadcast personality recently bragged on TV that he got to actually hold and touch Louis and Clark's compass during the production of a piece on the Smithsonian exhibit. I wondered who was in charge of letting him do that! Perhaps the promotional benefits outweigh the wear and tear. John Leeke, Preservation Consultant 26 Higgins St., Portland, ME 04103, USA 207 773-2306 Old-House Journal, Contributing Editor AOL, HouseNet, Historic HomeWorks, Pundit, [log in to unmask] CompuServe, Handyman, Old Houses, SYSOP, [log in to unmask]