Marty,
I think that the CD that Suzanne mentions will be less help to you, as
it sounds like many of your artifacts are not archaeologically
recovered, than some of the general collections care manuals that are
out there.  One of my favorites is "Conservation and Care of
Collections" edited by David Gilroy and Ian Godfrey (1998).  It is
published by The Western Australian Museum but can be purchased easily
in the US.  It covers a wide range of materials used in the creation of
social history and decorative arts objects.   Others that are good are
"Caring for your Family Treasures" which is published by Heritage
Preservation and Caring for your Collections published by the National
Committee to Save America's Cultural Collections.  University products
(www.universityproducts.com ) carries a wide range of these sorts of
manuals (as well as many of the materials you might need to ensure the
preservation of your collections.  The best techniques are preventive
ones which it sounds like you are already utilizing.  Linseed oil is
never recommended as it has a tendency to crosslink and blacken over
time.  If you have further questions please contact me off-list and I
would be happy to help or to try to put you in touch with some
conservators who might be able to.

With regards to the CD that Suzanne mentioned, the content should be
available through the SHA website (rather than the AIC one) in the next
several months.

Emily Williams

------------------------------

Date:    Thu, 4 May 2006 14:37:05 -0400
From:    Susanne Grieve <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Conservation and Collections Care

There is a CD that has been produced for archaeologists and others in
your situation that has general recommendations on a variety of
conservation questions:

Conservation & Collections Care: Guidelines for Archaeologists=20
FAQ's & Facts

-By Colleen Brady, Molly Gleeson, Melba Myers, Claire Peachey, Betty
Seifert, Howard Wellman, Emily Williams, Lisa Young

I believe it will be available through the American Institute for
Conservation website ( http://aic.stanford.edu/ ) in the near future. In
the meantime, if you contact one of the authors above, they can send you
a copy of the CD (it is too large to e-mail.) Try Melba Myers at
[log in to unmask]



Susanne Grieve
Assistant Conservator
The Mariners' Museum
USS Monitor Project
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, Virginia 23606
[log in to unmask]
www.marinersmuseum.org



-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
mperdue
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 2:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Amateur Conservation

Does anyone know of a good source for conservation advice=20
and information for amateurs and collectors?  I have a number
of log-cabin themed artifacts dating from the 1840s to the
present, including items in glass, sheet metal, leather, wood,
ceramics, etc.  I also have a few architectural construction
toys, which means lots of wood blocks, wooden and cardboard
boxes, paper documentation, etc.  My biggest issue is how to
keep wooden blocks in good condition, e.g., should I use=20
linseed oil (or some type of wax?) on blocks that were=20
originally stained in 1871?  I worked in a library for 8
years and have some familiarity with paper conservation and
general principles; I keep artifacts in a room that is (mostly)
cool, dark, and has a dehumidifier.

FWIW, all of the items that I own, so far, relate to some aspect
 of research that I have done or am planning to do.  Thanks!

Marty Perdue
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