[Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens + Danish jars

Wed Apr 3 14:39:21 EDT 2013

Thanks Nikolaj,

Interesting aside about the Grathwol (presumably?) jars as I have worked with these for a long time as well and found that the lids do eventually deteriorate over time, especially if they are slightly too small for the jar and require 'thumbing round the lid' to attach them.  Earlier examples had problems with plasticizers and became rigid and brittle within a few years appearing either slightly transparent or becoming yellowed.  The later formulation for the lids (1980s) seemed much better and more stable, longer-lasting but by then people were finding them unreliable as they didn't seem to stand the test of time.
I have heard that Grathwol no longer produce these, which is a shame, they are good for storage and easier to remove the lids than most other jars.

With all good wishes, Simon 

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
www.natural-history-conservation.com 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Nikolaj Scharff 
  To: Bentley, Andrew Charles ; Utrup, Jessica ; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 2:51 PM
  Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

  I would personally be worried that such labels will not last long enough. Most polyester will, I think, in the long run become brittle and crack. In Copenhagen we now have problems with old lids made of varies kinds of plastic. These lids were introduced in the 60'ies and have worked well until now when a large number starts to crack (after 50 years!). 

  We use regular archival quality paper or Byron Weston Resistall Paper and we print the labels with ethanol resistant ink from Canon or HP. Obviously, we don't know the ink formula of these inks, and thereby the longevity of labels produced this way, but we have been using such a system here in Copenhagen since 1994. I have printed labels sitting on my window shelves and there is no obvious aging to be observed. I regularly rub them gently with my fingers and there is still no ink-smear. I would feel better using "regular paper and ink", instead of thermo printing.

  It would be interesting to hear other opinions.

  Best wishes

  Nikolaj

  .....................................................................

  Nikolaj Scharff

  Director of Collections

  Associate Professor, Curator of Arachnida

  Department of Entomology

  Natural History Museum of Denmark

  Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen

  Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen

  DENMARK

  Tel. +45 35321107 Email. nscharff at snm.ku.dk

  Webpage: http://snm.ku.dk/people/nscharff

  .............................

  From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Bentley, Andrew Charles
  Sent: 3. april 2013 15:28
  To: Utrup, Jessica; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
  Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

  Jessica, Marta

  The system of choice now for wet collections appears to be thermal transfer printing using a thermal transfer printer and spun bound polyester labels.  We have been using such a system for about 10 years now in our wet collections and have had very good results so far - no yellowing, britteling, fading or any other physical signs or aging on the labels or print.  The thermal transfer printers have come down in price substantially lately making such a system affordable to most.  Alpha Systems in Virginia sells a "museum solution" which consists of a Datamax thermal transfer printer, media (4 inch wide, 600 foot long roll of spun bound polyester) and ribbon (wax/resin composite) which is now used by numerous collections around the world.

  I would be happy to send you pdf's of printer specs, pricing from Alpha Systems and an article I wrote for the SPNHC newsletter if you are interested.  I can also send you samples of labels to look at.

  Andy

      A  :             A  :             A  :
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      V                V                V
   Andy Bentley
   Ichthyology Collection Manager
   University of Kansas
  Biodiversity Institute

   Dyche Hall
   1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
   Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
   USA

  Tel: (785) 864-3863
  Fax: (785) 864-5335 
   Email: abentley at ku.edu  

  http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu

  SPNHC President-Elect

  http://www.spnhc.org

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  From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Utrup, Jessica
  Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 7:53 AM
  To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
  Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Labelling of alcohol-preserved specimens

  Hello dear colleagues,

  An old question: best system for labeling of alcohol-preserved specimens: inks, printers, papers... Any new answers/solutions? We still use manual system with Indian ink on bill paper, this is secure but labored. Any mechanized system more efficient and long term reliable?

  Thank you

  -- 
  Marta Pérez Azcárate
  Laboratori de Conservació Preventiva i Restauració
  Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona / GROP S.L.
  Passeig Picasso s/n. 08003 BARCELONA
  93 256 22 09
  marta.perez.cr at gmail.com 

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