I would agree with you that encapsulated items look "very odd on exhibition." However, due to certain conservation policies, many borrowed documents we receive from the National Archives, Library of Congress, and Presidential Libraries, come to us encapsulated. The encapsulation allows for the document to be protected while in transit, and it allows us to handle the item without fear of causing mechanical damage (we do make sure we handle things carefully). We normally frame the encapsulated material and use mylar strips to hold it in place; or we use acid free mat board and loop mylar strips to hold in place, with a plex stand-off in front of it; they normally hold beautifully, and once the show is over, we can remove the strips and slide the encapsulated document out safely. If you want to put up photographs on a shoe string budget, and you cannot afford plex, you can have the photos encapsulated, then placed in window mats with a slightly oversized backing. We recently did this with a photography exhibition that was basically "dumped" on me at the last minute, with "no budget." I must say, it turned out well, and the photos are protected. O Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace 18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 993-5075; fax (714) 528-0544; e-mail: [log in to unmask] On Tue, 10 Feb 1998 22:39:47 -0800 Timothy Vitale <[log in to unmask]> writes: >I agree that encapsulated material looks very odd on exhibition. Most >curators and exhibition designer would no doubt agree. Encapsulation >is >for storage and handling. > >Dianne van der Reyden of CAL, Smithsonian (301-238-3700 ex 147) did a >great deal of work on the technology and treatment of Victorian era >Valentines, especially fold-out Valentines. > >Timothy Vitale >Paper and Photograph Conservator >& Preservation Consultant >Aptos & Felton, CA >408-684-2731 office >408-335-2541 studio afts and eves > _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]