Inventory

[S. Komandosky]

We are a small City owned museum operated by volunteers. We are working to inventory everything and  need some input.

We are fortunate to have many pieces of furniture which are original to the Victorian home in which we are located. How do we mark historic furniture with an inventory number? 

Most of the furniture is on display in the home. In fact, the entire lower floor is set up as a home with our museum exhibits upstairs. Because of that the numbering needs to be discrete but identifiable. 

Input from anyone who has dealt with a similar issue will be appreciated. 

Susan 

[Erin Benz]

Susan, 

I would recommend what is referred to as the "sandwich method" using Acryloid B-72. See more info on how to apply here: https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Activity-2_-Marking-and-Labeling-Objects.pdf and here: https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/01-04.pdf. Basically, it's like applying a layer of clear nail polish, using a pen to write the number on top of that layer of nail polish, then sealing the number in using another layer of clear nail polish (i.e. a "sandwich"). But instead of clear nail polish, it's Acryloid B-72. I would buy it from Gaylord Archival since their version comes with a tiny brush (like nail polish).

We use this method on almost all our furniture and it's considered safe for most museum artifacts.

If you want an easier and faster way, I would suggest using tags like this for the moment and do the sandwich method when you can. 

I hope this helps!

[Diane Curry]

Susan,

I would also recommend if you use the "sandwich method", that you pick a location on the furniture that is always the same so the next person isn't searching all over the place of the number. I have a lot of furniture in our 2 historic houses and finding the numbers is really difficult as they are all over the place and previous volunteers/staff didn't use the "sandwich method" properly so you have to catch the number in just the right light to see it. We use tags as well, even if there is a more permanent number somewhere on the object, just because of the problem of searching for numbers. We just try to tie them to discreet places. But tags can fall off or be easily removed so it's not the best method to use, it's more reinforcement for us. 

Good luck with your project!

[Martha Katz-Hyman]

I highly recommend the Connecting to Collections online community, which is a program of the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, for questions like this. They offer the following resources:

• Free webinars – Explore Upcoming Webinars or search recordings from over 175 previous webinars in our Webinar Archives.
• Courses, and a Course Archive, that provide a more in-depth look at collections care topics
• A moderated discussion Community where conservation professionals provide answers to your queries.
• Links to almost 1,000 Resources chosen for their application to institutions that have limited resources for the care of their collections

The discussion list is particularly valuable, I think; I've used it myself. It is particularly helpful for those weird situations that you might find in your collection or at your site. You can rely on their advice because it comes from knowledgeable conservators and experienced collections managers.

Martha Katz-Hyman

Independent Curator

On Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 10:26:41 PM UTC-4 S. Komandosky wrote: