An Alternative Technique for Applying Accession Numbers to Museum Artifacts

Abstract

For decades archaeologists and museum professionals have applied accession numbers to artifacts using a variety of methods. A common method has been the hand-numbering technique: a barrier layer is applied, over which. the number is written in ink and after that has dried, another clear coating is applied. Recently, many archaeologists and museum professionals have sought alternative, more efficient methods for artifact numbering. This paper describes another technique that offers many advantages. The accession numbers are printed onto paper using a computer printer employing a small font, which is then cut out, and the paper label adhered to the artifact with an appropriate adhesive. This has many advantages over hand-numbering, though this paper recognizes that hand-numbering is still appropriate in many situations. In this alternative technique, the application of the numbers is a one-step process offering a large reduction in the amount of time required to label artifacts, and by extension, less handling of artifacts. Compared to hand-numbering, the legibility of the numbers is improved, even while the size of the numbers is reduced. Accession numbers can be printed from existing databases, which may reduce transcriptional errors. Additionally, the permanence of these labels is high, if certain procedures are followed when produ,cing them. Lastly, this technique may require less manual dexterity than hand-numbering in order to properly and safely apply accession numbers. This technique may enable this task to be delegated to other staff members or volunteers. The purpose of this article is to document its use and provide specific details on its application to various types of objects, and to disseminate this information to the museum community as a whole.TITRE-Une nouvelle technique pour la pose de numeros d'acquisition aux objets de musee RESUME-Depuis maintes decennies, les archeologues et les professionnels des musees ont numerote les objets de leurs collections selon plusieurs differentes methodes. Une approche populaire consiste a ecrire Ie numero a la main: d'abord une couche separatrice est posee, sur laquelle Ie numero est inscrit a l'encre et apres sechage, un revetement protecteur est applique. Recemment, plusieurs archeologues et professionnels des m~sees ont recherche des methodes differentes et plus efficaces pour la pose des numeros d'acquisition Cet article presente une methode differente qui offre plusieurs avantages. Les numeros d' acquisitionsont imprimes sur du papier a 1'aide d'une imprimante d' ordinateur utilisant un lettrage de petite taille, qui est par la suite decoupe et colle sur 1'artefact a l'aide d'un adhesif approprie. Cette approche possede plusieurs avantages comparativement a la numerotation a la main, meme si cet article reconnal:tque cette derniere demeure appropriee dans plusieurs situations. Cette nouvelle technique permet en une etape de reduire Ie temps requis pour numeroter l'artefact et implique moins de manipulation pour l' objet. Comparee a la numerotation a la main...

Towards Sustainable Museum Conservation Practices: A Study on the Surface Cleaning of Contemporary Art and Design Objects with the Use of Biodegradable Agents

“…Permanent inks are often used for labelling and numbering museum objects together with a barrier coating [73]. There are cases where the conservators face the need to remove the ink in order to follow an alternative method of labelling [74]. During discussions with conservators, cases of plastic objects (e.g., plastic toys) in private collections marked directly on their surface were reported.…”

Permanency of labelling inks: a 25-year experiment

“…As this experiment was set up before the general availability of desktop laser printers, inks from such have not been subjected to this sunlight test. For a discussion of the viability of laser-printed labels in wet collections see Zala et al (2005) and for a method of applying accession numbers using printed labels see Braun (2007).…”