[Nhcoll-l] Use of humidity

Fri Apr 3 04:58:59 EDT 2020

Hi Tonya,

Going off at a tangent, but possibly with some relevant literature, I know from a previous career that traditional leather shoe manufacturing uses warm humidification chambers to make the leather softer and more stretchy - a process known as mulling. Then, after lasting, the shoes are heat set on the last to ensure better shape retention.

Goof luck!

Mike.
________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Simon Moore <couteaufin at btinternet.com>
Sent: 03 April 2020 09:41
To: Thomas Labedz <tlabedz1 at unl.edu>
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Use of humidity

Hi Tonya,

I use a steam jet for straightening out bent feathers - classic example is a pheasant whose tail has become curled round due to overnight storage.  You can buy steam kettles with a triggered hose attachment for not much, very useful.  Always ensure that the kettle is emptied after use or it rapidly builds up calcium deposits.

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,

www.natural-history-conservation.com<http://www.natural-history-conservation.com>

> On 2 Apr 2020, at 23:07, Thomas Labedz <tlabedz1 at unl.edu> wrote:
>
> Tonya
> For mis-shaped dried botanical specimens I've had good luck putting the specimen on paper towels that are on a piece of plastic. Then putting more paper towels on the leaves and wetting with deionized water and covering with another sheet of plastic. The whole set can go into a larger plastic bag folded shut. I'll let this set overnight, usually all that is required, and then putting the now hydrated specimens into a plant press and starting it over again.
> For vertebrate specimens, small taxidermy, I'll use basically the same thought process but with less direct contact of the water. A humidity chamber for me is a large lidded plastic tub big enough to hold the specimen and a tray of clean wet sand. Putting the lid on then creates a humid environment that can relax the specimen after a few days, checking daily to be certain no mold growth is occurring. It might take several days before the specimen is minimally pliable. If deemed sturdy enough, limb joints could be wrapped loosely with cotton and cheesecloth with water applied directly. In the old days a few drops of phenol or other mold inhibitor would be added to the chamber. I don't do that.
> For vertebrate study skins, particularly small mammals that I think will survive well this treatment, I'll submerge the entire skin in warm soapy water and leave it for a day. Checking occasionally and when pliable I'll undo the entire study skin except the wires in the feet and tail, rinse with fresh water, re-stuff the specimen with cotton and re-position properly after drying the fur with compressed air.
> Good luck,
> Write if you've got questions.
> Thomas
>
> Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager (tlabedz1 at unl.edu)
> Division of Botany and Division of Zoology
> University of Nebraska State Museum
> Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A.
>
>
> From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <Tonya.Haff at csiro.au>
> Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2020 3:04 PM
> To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Use of humidity
>
> Hi all,
>
> I know many of us are now working from home, away from our collections. I am finding that hard, but I guess one positive is that I’m finding time to get to manuscripts and old ideas that have been languishing because there is usually too much hands-on work to do. To that end, I wonder if any of you are familiar with any literature regarding the use of humidity or humidification chambers to reshape objects? Any pointers would be appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tonya
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Dr Tonya Haff
> Collections Manager
> Australian National Wildlife Collection
> National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO
> Canberra, Australia
> Phone: (+61) 02 6242 1566 (office)
> (+61) 0419 569 109 (mobile)
>
> I am in Thursdays and Fridays
> Please call or text my mobile for a fast reponse Monday – Wednesday
>
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