[NHCOLL-L:767] Re: Commercial use of collections furniture

[Carolyn Rissanen]

We have done sporadic loans to stylists for photo shoots, for which we
charge a small fee.  I don't advertise it, and I only deal with stylists
I know or who come recommended.  They have used mostly whole mounts of
birds, mammals and reptiles (you know those Budweiser lizards? -
sketches from our chameleons!) and we have had pretty good luck so far.
I learned my lesson on insects - don't loan it unless I can afford to
lose body parts - most notably legs and antennae.  Insects are easy for
them to get elsewhere, so I don't hesitate to say no.  I let the
borrower know what a privilege I am giving them, and they have been
pretty respectful.

-Carolyn Rissanen
Registrar
Oakland Museum of California

Darren Mann wrote:

> 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