I am not an expert with PVC, but with that caveat, I'll put my 2 cents in
the ring.
If you do not at least slightly inflate them, they will become too brittle
with time to ever inflate, thus will be essentially uninterperatable.
Keeping them inflated may require periodic introduction of air. Most
plastics are slightly permeable (yes, even Plexiglas), but very slowly.
However, over years/decades, air probably will be lost.
I would think that zip-lock type plastic bags may be better than boxes.
Boxes are not even close to air-tight, and any volatiles given off by the
PVC may be able to leave the boxes and affect other objects. The scavengers
may or may not get them first. Second, you can see the Dalmatians without
having to open the box/bag, which will release anything inside.
I don't know the full pluses or minuses of the zeolites or scavengers with
PVC. My gut says it is good to use them, but I would double-check this.
Degradation of PVC should be slowed by colder temperatures. The general
rule is half the deterioration for every 10 degree C (18 degree F)
temperature drop. Thus, 1/2 the speed of deterioration at 54 degrees as at
72 degrees, 1/4 at 36 degrees, and so on. Thus, cold storage may be best,
but again, I would verify this with a specialist if possible.
Hope this helps!
Marc
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4 Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT 06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments & Surveys
*Low-Tech Environmental Control
*Moisture Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Conservation Treatment of:
Furniture
Painted Wood
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Architectural Interiors
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ariel Weinberg" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 3:15 PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] preserving PVC toys
> Hi, folks,
>
> We recently accessioned two inflatable PVC Dalmatians, which I have been
> tasked with packaging for storage. Bearing in mind that PVC is
> inherently unstable over the long term, what is the best way to package
> them both to preserve the dalmatians as long as possible and to protect
> other objects stored nearby from damage?
>
> - inflated or deflated?
> - wrapped or unwrapped?
> - in paper or plastic containers?
>
> My current plan, based on a variety of reading and research (green- eared
> Barbies, etc), is to keep them inflated, enclose them in archival Paige
> boxes, and put zeoliites or other scavengers in the box, and of course
> keeping them in climate-controlled (to the best of our ability) storage.
>
> Any other suggestions or experiences would be welcomed!
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ariel Weinberg
> Assistant to the Curator of Science & Technology
>
> MIT Museum, Building N52
> 265 Massachusetts Avenue
> Cambridge MA 02139-4307
> tel: 617-253-3378 fax: 617-253-8994
> http://web.mit.edu/museum
>
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