In-Reply-To: The letter of Thursday, 23 June 1994 10:51pm CT I would like to add some clarification to Sharon Niscak's note about accession number marking. 1. PVA sometimes stands for poly(vinyl) alcohol, but the PVA more often used in museums for numbering (at least in the anthropology/archaeology collections I'm familiar with is poly(vinyl) acetate. It comes as small beads, or sometimes already dissolved in a solvent, and is painted on the object. The number is then written on and then a top coat is added to protect from abrasion. There are many kinds of poly(vinyl) acetates (both brands and molecular weights). Some are very soft and sticky at room temperature, some are very hard and brittle. Their qualities can also be affected by the solven that is used to dissolve them. Poly(vinyl) acetate also comes in an emulsion form (Elmer's glue is a type of poly(vinyl) acetate emulsion). These emulsions are generally considered unstable and unsuitable for direct contact with museum objects. Some poly(vinyl) acetate resins have been tested for stability in conservation. 2. "B72" stands for Acryloid B-72. Acryloid B-72 is an acrylic resin. It has been tested in conservation and is considered one of the most stable options available. It often comes as beads and has to be dissolved in a solvent. Any use of solvents in a non-laboratory setting brings up questions of safety and toxicity. 3.Clear nail polish has been used in museums. But it is inappropriate for numbering objects because it is a type of polymer (cellulose nitrate for those who care) that is notoriously unstable and will shrink, and yellow and peel away from the surface taking your number and sometimes part of your object with it. I applaud the registrar's group for attempting to collect information about numbering. I hope they will post their ideas/findings/standards to the list. Here are a few references that will help in your search for information: Horie, C.V. 1987 Materials for Conservation, Butterworths: New York (this has information on most of the polymers museum people have tried using for all sorts of reasons) "Use of Acryloid B-72 Lacquer for Labeling Museum Objects", Conserv O Gram 1/4, July 1993, National Park Service (this can be obtained through the Government Printing Office (fax 202-512-2233). "Labeling Museum Specimens" by Sara J. Wolf and P. Lynn Denton, Conservation Notes, No. 11, January 1985. (this can be obtained from the Publications Division, Texas Memorial Museum, The University of Texas at Austin, 2400 Trinity, Austin, TX 78705 (tel 512-471-1604)) I'd also suggest you talk to conservators in museums in your area. Many of them will have dealt with the numbering question for their own museums and will be able to give other ideas and tips. You can find conservators in your area through the FAIC (Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works) Conservation Services Referral System. They will give you a free listing of conservators that can help. Good luck. Jessie Johnson Assistant Conservator Texas Memorial Museum Materials Conservator Lab University of Texas at Austin [log in to unmask] (512)471-6090