[NHCOLL-L:4848] RE: Museum Labels for Mammal Mounts

[Judith Chupasko]

I agree with Tom Labedz. A museum specimen, whether on exhibit or not 
(especially if it belongs to one of the collections), should have a 
permanent "label" affixed to the actual animal itself with at least 
the accession number written on the label (India ink). Whether it is 
a small tag tied around a foot, base of horn or ear (somewhere where 
it will NOT slip off), or a number written with India ink on a tooth, 
claw, etc.  Also, it is good to teach exhibit staff to NEVER remove a 
tag or label......  It is also a good precaution to write the 
accession number on the base.  However, over the years, sometimes 
specimens are removed from bases (sometimes without the knowledge of 
collections staff) and information is lost, i.e. not being 100% sure 
which specimen the animal actually is....ok, that's my two cents 
after working in an old historic collection for over 21 years! lol Judy

At 08:33 AM 7/1/2010, you wrote:
>I use regular tags with data on mounts when off exhibit.  Small tags 
>with only the catalog number and thread that matches pelage color 
>when on exhibit.  The small tag being tucked into the fur 
>somewhere.  I'll also write the permanent catalog number somewhere 
>obvious on the underside of the mount base.  And, if possible, I'll 
>ink the number inconspicuously on the underside of a lip, edge of a 
>hoof or claw, on a piece of paper and tucked into an ear.  AND, I'll 
>annotate the collection records noting that the mount is on 
>exhibit.  Since it may decades and numerous changes of staff before 
>that mount comes back to the collections I want it well recorded 
>what  is going on and where it is.
>
>Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager
>Division of Zoology and Division of Botany
>University of Nebraska State Museum
>W-436 Nebraska Hall
>900 N. 16th St.
>Lincoln, NE  68588-0514
>402/472-8366   fax 402/472-8949
>tlabedz1 at unl.edu   www.museum.unl.edu
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]
>On Behalf Of Tina Campbell
>Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 7:16 PM
>To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
>Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4844] Museum Labels for Mammal Mounts
>
>Hello Everyone,
>
>How do museums attach labels to their mammal mounts?  Do you have 
>tags, a Thank you,Tina
>
>
>
>
>


Judy Chupasko, Curatorial Associate
Department of Mammalogy, Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology
26 Oxford St., Cambridge, Mass 02138
617-495-2469
http://www.mcz.harvard.edu/Departments/Mammals/