IO have a situation here that's beyond my experience in a couple of ways...I'm hoping the collective wisdom on the list can help me out...

We have a fairly unique item in our collection (a traditional Blackfoot "war deed"--a painted calfskin robe that records a warrior's exploits in battle--the difference here is that the war depicted is World War One) that has been requested for inclusion in a European exhibit.  We're excited by the opportunity to participate in this, but it presents us with a few practical problems.

One, the leather was not commercially tanned, was not stretched during tanning, and so is not exactly flat (it has raised "folds," about 2" high) .  It's in good shape, but is inherently fragile, consisting of pigment on leather.  What's the best way to prepare such a piece for travel?  We have considered crating it lying "flat," but haven't come up with a practical way to ensure it doesn't flap around with the handling of the crate (we can provide a shaped hollow in Ethafoam for it, but can't figure out a way to keep it from slumping if the crate is turned on it's side, which, despite "This Side Up" stickers, we're fairly sure will happen).  Anything we've come up with to hold the piece steady (ie., foam padding ) will put pressure on the pigment and/or crush the uneven "folds."  

We've also considered rolling the piece, to make a smaller package that can be handled easier, but still--how to roll it so the "folds" aren't crushed, and the pigment won't be abraded during travel?

We also wanted to courier the piece to it's destination, but in the post- 9-11 world, do airlines still allow couriers into the baggage handling areas?  If not, how does a courier ensure the cargo is not left on an icy, wet tarmac for hours on end?  If this can't be ensured, what's the advantage of accompanying a piece in transit?  

Thanks for all thoughts on this.



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Tim McShane, Assistant--Cultural History
Esplanade Museum
401 First Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB   T1A 8W2
Tel: (403) 502-8587
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