Human hair

Patricia Elliott <elliott<-a t->sjsuvm1< . >sjsu< . >edu> writes

>My question concerns preservation of a lock of human hair clipped
>shortly after the death of the owner (Beethoven) in 1827. We are
>concerned about the long-term effects of exposure to light, air, and
>humidity. How would you suggest we store the hair? For over 100
>years it was kept in a small oval frame made of wood and glass.

If the existing frame is over 100 years old, it is much better not
to rehouse the hair, as the hair without the old mount is much less
interesting an artifact.  It is better to modify the frame, make sure
that the inside is clean and that surfaces are sealed, and then
re-seal the hair with modern materials.  If there is no better way
to protect the hair from light, the whole thing can be put inside a
box or fabric container.

Barbara Appelbaum

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:71
                 Distributed: Monday, February 10, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-71-005
                                  ***