Anita Cohen-Williams wrote: > > Can someone help on this? > > >Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 04:51:14 GMT > >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> > >Sender: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> > >From: Aqualieb <[log in to unmask]> > >Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com > >Subject: Ethical Question > >To: [log in to unmask] > > > >An avocational group that I am treasurer of has concluded an > archaeological and > >historical investigation of one of the sites we have been involved with > >recently. > > > >At the site, we recovered a clump of material that contained about a hundred > >buttons. Our newly forming museum needs only a few dozen and a few thousand > >more buttons remain on board. We are not interested in recovering any more > >than what we already have. > > > >I could return the buttons to the wrecksite, but we are talking about a only > >few dozen buttons; they fit in the palm of your hand. We are a non-profit > >group involved in fund-raising for our museum and would like to sell off the > >remaining buttons to area museums and other interested buyers. I don't > know if > >museums that have over-burdened inventories do the same or not. I would like > >to sell these buttons to benefit our museum project, which in itself is a > >cultural boon to the community. Is this ethically correct? > > > >Please post responses, viewpoints and opinions here. Please, do not > e-mail me > >directly. > > > >Thank you, > >Aqualieb > > > > > > Anita Cohen-Williams > Listowner of HISTARCH, SUB-ARCH, and SPANBORD > Co-listowner/manager of ANTHRO-L > Contributing Editor, Anthropology, Suite101 <http://www.suite101.com> > [log in to unmask] I saw your recent request on Underwater Sub-Arch. Personally, if and only if these are surpluss buttons and nothing more can be gained from their study could I understand the sale of them. To aide your museum in its financial goals is a worthy cause to generate monies for, by the sale of such artifacts. I would be interested in several of the buttons to add to our collection. Please e-mail me with more information as to time period and wrecksite, as well as what you are asking for them to add support to your project. Sincerley Submitted, James Michon [log in to unmask]