On Wed, 3 Mar 1999 10:50:54 -0700 Tim McShane <[log in to unmask]> writes: >......in our effort to preserve and tell the story of A. V. Roe Canada, we want to collect and preserve (as much as >possible, and among other things) components and equipment associated with the CF-105 Avro Arrow jet >fighter. Now, upon cancellation of the Arrow programme in 1959, all Arrow components, equipment, drawings, >etc., were to be destroyed (by whose order is still in dispute--no one seems to want to claim responsibility for >ordering the destruction, although it was government contractors that carried out the work). Therefore, for >anything to have survived of the Arrow project, the dictates of the government had to be disobeyed, breaking the >law. Very good point. I would also hasten to direct you to the National Archives where "illicit" material has been collected as a matter of course; I don't mean it is done in a cavalier manner; I mean that I am sure than certain national security reports and CIA type activity that has produced reports/objects might also be considered "illicit" due to the nature in which the material has been obtained (spying, etc.). We collect items which just happen to come to us as part of someone's personal belongings, and we really don't attach a label to them (such as "illicit") because we are more concerned about the history of the item itself, and the way it can be interpreted for further discussion of that particular person's role in life and overall society. I think that the general museum populace has a good grasp of what is considered "illicit" due to the legislation that is out there as well as ethical writings that have been produced by various authors and museum organizations. There's nothing we can do about the hidden motives that people harbor when it comes to acquiring collections, but as professionals we do understand that when an item is offered for donation, and you have the mere suspicion that the item might have a "funny" background, you just don't go there. For those things that are already in the collection, you do the best you can to research its background and make it as solid an item as you can within the limited information you might have. If you suspect an item it is part of illegally traded objects, or stolen material, by all means begin an inquiry. O Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace 18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544; e-mail: [log in to unmask] ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]