Charity,

We just had a display case custom made for our upcoming exhibit on
portraits where we were needing to magnify coins. The sliding mechanism
(moving left to right. up and down) is made of stainless steel rods with
a wooden housing for the magnifier. We got the idea from a similar
display at the Mint Museum in Charlotte that displays coins. You may
want to ask the curator at the Mint about their case as well.

Regards,

John

John Nolan
Curator

Museum & Gallery at Bob Jones University
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd.
Greenville, SC 29614
T: 864.770.1331
F: 864.770.1306
http://www.bjumg.org

Opinions expressed are my own.

>>> [log in to unmask] 2/24/2006 9:01 AM >>>
Micki,

 

We actually were hoping to find something that visitors could
manipulate
in front of the artifact case. That's why we were thinking of the
sliding magnifier. It is a possibility to use something that is
permanently placed within the case. Thanks for the info!

 

Best,

Charity

 

Charity Counts

Int'l Traveling Exhibits Manager

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

3000 N. Meridian St.

Indianapolis, IN 46208

317.704.3520

[log in to unmask] 

 

________________________________

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Micki Ryan
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 1:13 AM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] magnifiers for artifacts

 

Charity,

 

In order to view some tiny political campaign buttons displayed in an
exhibit last year, we  used 8 x 10 inch magnifier sheets glued to
2-inch
long dowel "legs" to form a moveable magnifying table of sorts.  These
sheets are designed for those with trouble seeing small type, such as
telephone book listings. We got them in a stationery/office supplies
store. I don't recall the cost, but they were cheap, less than $5 each
perhaps, and made of plastic. These were not rigid but not floppy
either, they were firm but bendable.

 

If your magnifier is inside an artifact case, why is it required to be
child-friendly? In our situation, there was no opportunity to handle
or
manipulate the magnifier, as it was inside an exhibit case.  I would
guess that over a longer period of time the plastic material of the
magnifying sheet would outgas.  The one you illustrated is a great
leap
beyond our simple, cheap solution.

 

Micki Ryan

Curator, Highline Historical Society

Burien, WA

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On 
Behalf Of Charity Counts
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask] 
Subject: magnifiers for artifacts

	We are trying to find magnifiers that would slide in front of
2-d maps in artifact cases in order to view them more easily. We need
them to be durable, movable, child-friendly and artifact-friendly.

	 

	We have found a brand called "Magnislides," but wondered if
there other, more cost-effective solutions out there? Any
recommendations? Have you seen anything like this used in another
exhibit or museum?

	 

	(http://www.micrariumenterprises.co.uk/page11.html)

	 

	 

	Thank you,

	Charity

	 

	 

	Charity Counts

	Int'l Traveling Exhibits Manager

	The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

	3000 N. Meridian St.

	Indianapolis, IN 46208

	317.704.3520

	[log in to unmask] 

	 

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