Magic slate

At our museum, we recently acquired a "magic" or "fun" slate from
1961. This object consists of a dark, waxy layer underneath a
plastic layer. You would write with a plastic stylus on the top
layer and then lift it to erase the writing.

On our piece, the bottom layer is dried and cracking, and the
plastic layer has become warped.  Has anyone worked with a material
like this before?  Can anyone offer any suggestions to stabilize
this piece so that it does not become more damaged?  Any housing
recommendations? I can also provide images of the item in question
if needed.

For reference, here is a link to patent information for a similar
item:

    <URL:http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6972151/description.html>

Also, here is a blog post with examples of the item in question,
particularly the "Pinocchio" one:

    <URL:http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/magic-of-magic-slates.html>

Erin Thompson
Contract archivist


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:49
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 14, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-26-49-017
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