>On Fri, 14 Jun 1996, Jill Aszling wrote: > >> We store approximately 300 framed signed prints from our student lending >> collection in rolling wood bins; these were made for us when we moved into >> our new building in 1985. They are made of 3/4 inch birch plywood and have >> held up very well. > >When I took a preventive conservation workshop at the Smithsonian in 1987 >the conservators recommended board lumber as opposed to plywood for >storage areas. This is because the adhesives used in plywood and particle >board give off formaldehyde fumes, which are undesirable from a preservation >point of view. > >They also suggested that the board lumber be sealed with shellac. > >--Helen Glazer Helen, There is a wonderful product called Marvelseal. It is a shiny metallic-like substance that comes in VERY heavy rolls. It can be used for sealing new wood from off gassing. You can iron it on, and if it tears in the process, just patch it with small pieces. I've used it since 1987 and swear by it. Back when I was Registrar at Milwaukee Public Museum I used it to seal new crates. It's a lot safer than shellac, and it doesn't smell. A bit pricy, though, but one roll will last several years. It's manufactured by the Laminating and Coating Division of Ludlow Corp. Back then they had an East Coast sales office in Charlotte, NC (704/527-3647) The divisional office is in Homer, Louisiana (318/927-2531) Keep in mind the last time I ordered this stuff was 1987. Be prepared if these numbers are changed. Cheers, HBC **************************************** Henry B. Crawford Curator of History [log in to unmask] Museum of Texas Tech University 806/742-2442 Box 43191 FAX 742-1136 Lubbock, TX 79409-3191 ***** "Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are dead!!" *****