White gloves

Recently our museum system acquired a large collection of
hand-crafted "O" size Railroad engines and cars that has a
considerable value attached to it. We are depending on a group of
local model railroad enthusiasts to help us create a working exhibit
layout. My situation is that I need a good reference, in plain
English, and preferably with pictures to convince them of the need
for them to wear the white gloves as they work with the collection
pieces. Perhaps something that demonstrates how a fingerprint can
eventually burn itself into a metal object, or other example of
metal damage by skin oils.

The volunteers have a lot of respect for the originator of these
pieces, so if I can give them a good example of why it is necessary
I think they will go along with it, but not just on my say so. We
have problems here with other volunteer groups who can't understand
why they can't have tea and cocktail parties on the Victorian and
Art Deco furniture at our other sites--so I'm fighting an uphill
battle in respect to conservation. Our curator has fled for the
hills, and we are looking for a new director, so I'm the only thing
standing against possible abuse of the collection. I can use all the
help I can get.

D.R. Grauberger
Museums Keeper
Cedar Falls Historical Society
Cedar Falls, IA

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:89
                 Distributed: Thursday, April 17, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-89-013
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