[Nhcoll-l] Storing a collection of oil

[Monaghan, Nigel]

Gretchen



As a principle, if the container for a scientific specimen is in conflict with the stability of the scientific specimen and its future use for research or analysis then this has to be addressed by rehousing the specimen in a suitable container.



Cork may be highly reactive with organic solvents. As these samples are over a century old their scientific value may now be minimal and their historic value paramount, allowing consideration of maintaining the original enclosure.



As a geologist, my preference would be to decant the oil into a suitable glass tube with cap. If this was done using a slightly smaller tube than the original cork-stoppered tube it might fit within the original enclosure. If not, I would store the sample of oil in a new stable enclosure and keep it beside the original cork-stoppered tube.



Nigel



________________________________
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] on behalf of Anderson, Gretchen [AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org]
Sent: 03 July 2014 21:13
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Storing a collection of oil

Dear colleagues,

Our collections manager for minerals just presented me with a long term storage challenge that I would appreciate some input on.

We have an early (100 + years) collection of oil from Pennsylvania.  The oil is stored in glass jars and vials with cork stoppers.  Many have the original collectors labels attached.  The corks are old and desiccated. The oil is volatilizing with levels dropping. The collections manager does not want to replace or damage the corks, maintaining the historic context  of the collection.  We need to improve the seal, before there is more loss.

My first thought is to seal corks in wax.  Before proceeding, I would like to hear what others have done for long term storage for similar collections.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Gretchen Anderson
Conservator
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
5800 Baum Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone (412)665-2607
Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org<mailto:Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org>
http://www.carnegiemnh.org


The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any system and destroy any copies. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender.   ­­
Fógra Tábhachtach
Tá an t-eolas sa ríomhphost seo agus in aon chomhad a ghabhann leis rúnda agus d'fhéadfadh sé a bheith faoi phribhléid dlíthúil freisin. Séanann Ard Mhúsaem na hÉireann ach go háirithe (ach ní trí theorannú) chuile fhreagracht, agus ní ghlacann le haon dliteanas i leith aon ríomhphost nó iatáin a ghabhann leo, atá clúmhillteach, taircisniúil, ciníoch nó a sháraíonn cearta an duine in aon tslí eile, sárú rúndachta, príobháideachais nó cearta eile san áireamh. Má tá an ríomhphost seo faighte agat trí dhearmad, cuir ar an eolas muid láithreach ag ithelpdesk at museum.ie agus scrios amach é féin agus chuile chóip de as do chóras. Deimhníonn an fonóta seo chomh maith gur seiceáileadh an teachtaireacht ríomhphoist seo ar fhaitíos vírís.      

Important Notice
The information in this e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may also be legally privileged.  In particular (but not by way of limitation) the National Museum of Ireland disclaims all responsibility and accepts no liability for any e-mails or their attachments which are defamatory, offensive, racist or which in any other way are in breach of an individuals rights, including breach of confidence, privacy or other rights. If you have received this e-mail message in error, inform us immediately at ithelpdesk at museum.ie and delete it and all copies from your system. This footnote also confirms that this e-mail message has been checked for the presence of computer viruses.