[NHCOLL-L:766] Commercial use of collections furniture

[Darren Mann]

A National TV company (who shall remain nameless, of 
course) loaned a number of items from the Hope 
Entomological Collections last year, ranging from 
victorian collecting equipment and microscopes to 
cabinets.

In general the material came back in good order, 
however, due to the environmental conditions being 
uncontrolled there must have been a significant 
differential between our stores and wherever they 
stored the cabinets, as on return none of the drawers
would fit back into the cabinets. This is still the 
case nearly twelve months later!! On one cabinet a 
door was completely ripped off. Although of little 
value in terms of specimen storage, some of these 
cabinets have historical value as they belonged to 
famous entomologists (e.g. Hope & Westwood)

With ever decreasing funds, this form of income is 
most welcome. However, I would stress that staff need
to accompany items, as they ARE treated as props. 
Plus storage areas need to be checked properly, 
something we failed to do.

regards

Darren
-------------------------------------------
"No one can do inspired work without genuine
interest in his subject and understanding of
its characteristics" Andreas Feininger, 1972


Darren J. Mann
Hope Entomological Collections
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Parks Road
OXFORD
OX1 3PW

Tel:  +44 (0)1865 272957
Fax: +44 (0)1865 272970
E-Mail: darren.mann at zoo.ox.ac.uk