[NHCOLL-L:4792] RE: oology curation query

[Bryant, James]

I endorse the recommendations of all the others, plus one more subjective view: the polyester batting has less nap, and I find the fluffy nap of cotton to be a nuisance when used as packing for very light objects, like birds eggs. It can snag on the tiniest irregularity or projection, and when you move the cotton batting it often drags the specimens along with it. I just don't see this with polyester.

I can definitely verify the discoloration and off-gassing Simon mentions. I have used the packing method described in the first volume of the SPNHC storage book set in a couple of instances, with what I feel were excellent results.


James M. Bryant

Curator of Natural History

Museum Department, City of Riverside

3580 Mission Inn Avenue

Riverside, CA 92501

(951) 826-5273

(951) 369-4970 FAX

jbryant at riversideca.gov<mailto:jbryant at riversideca.gov>

________________________________
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of CAHawks at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 7:28 AM
To: nmccartn at uark.edu; nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4791] RE: oology curation query

I concur with Simon and Gretchen. If cotton isn't truly just alphacellulose fiber it will oxidize and even if it is, it attracts and hold moisture near the eggs, which can promote Bynes if there are any sources of organic acids in the air around the collection. Use a high-loft, non-bonded 100% polyester fiber.

Cathy Hawks


In a message dated 4/2/2010 7:45:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.org writes:

I vote for polyester for all of the reasons already stated.

For broken shells I recommend using tyvek - the soft variety.  Crumple it to further soften it so that it almost form fits to the cavity in the polyester batting. place broken shells within.  It is softer than normal acid free tissue and less abrasive.
If you use tissue - know that buffering agents are usually calcium carbonate - so that would work well with shells.

Gretchen Anderson
Conservator
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
andersong at carnegiemnh.org

________________________________
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Couteaufin at aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 3:58 PM
To: rissanen at museumca.org; nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4788] RE: oology curation query

Hi Carolyn,

Polyester batting is (so far) totally inert in egg collections.

I have come across cotton wool wadding that has oxidised over time (yellowed) and with a slightly higher-than-normal RH (c. 60%) and an oak cabinet with VOCs, which gave rise to a mild form of Byne's disease.  This resulted in a vinegary smell, a weakening and/or thinning of the shell and a total loss of the all important egg markings!

With all good wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Conservator of Natural Sciences,
20 Newbury Street,
Whitchurch RG28 7DN.
 www.natural-history-conservation.com<http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/>

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve

In a message dated 02/04/2010 23:01:28 GMT Daylight Time, rissanen at museumca.org writes:
We have been using polyester because it seems cotton would be attractive to
some pest or other.  I would appreciate seeing others' opinions.

Carolyn

Carolyn Rissanen
Registrar, Natural Sciences
Oakland Museum of California
510-238-3885
www.museumca.org



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]
On Behalf Of nmccartn
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 2:08 PM
To: 'nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu'
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4784] oology curation query

Hello, everyone:

I am about to rehouse our egg collection, and have had advice of using
cotton or polyester as padding in our Durphy plastic boxes which will
be in two nice new Viking cabinets. Would the cotton be attractive to
insects? Any advantage to one or the other?

In terms of tissue paper for broken shells (hopefully just a few)
should I get buffered or unbuffered?

Anything else I should consider?

Many thanks in advance.

NMcC

Nancy Glover McCartney, PhD
Curator of Zoology
UA Collections Facility
2435 Hatch
Fayetteville, AR 72701

http://fulbright.uark.edu/collections/

Phone: 479-575-4370
FAX: 479-575-7464


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