Seed murals

Patricia Smith-Hunt <patricia.smith-hunt [at] ucr__edu> writes

>Our library is interested in acquiring one or more murals and an
>insignia from the Tuskegee Airmen float which was part of the recent
>Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade. The murals are roughly 4 feet
>wide and 6 feet high. Both the murals and insignia are made of poppy
>seed glued onto canvas. Should we acquire these pieces we will
>probably be required to exhibit them for long periods of time. What
>is the best way to preserve these items and are there any special
>factors to consider when exhibiting them?

Factors to consider are: humidity levels should be reasonably low,
45-55% would be ideal and should prevent any chances of germination
should the seeds be  non-sterilized.  Fading would be another issue
and these would need to be  exhibited using low or non-UV emitting
light sources.  I suspect that the  glue may also be animal-based in
which case protein-loving pests may be an  issue.  Finally, seeds
are also attractive to biscuit/tobacco beetles (Stegobium) so keep a
close watch on the murals.  Sticky traps are useful to reduce this
problem and pyrethrin-based insecticides in alcohol (lightly
applied) should remove any pests without leading to germination
problems.

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural  Sciences
20 Newbury Street
Whitchurch RG28 7DN


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 23:26
                Distributed: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-23-26-007
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