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Providing collection care, preservation and conservation treatment services to collectors and collecting institutions.

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Display Cases

Materials such as wood, plywood, paint, foam and fabric can emit harmful vapors into a case environment, subjecting the objects to damage. Acid migration from wood is especially harmful to textiles and paper, causing yellowing and embrittlement. Corrosive volatiles, released by certain glues, paints, fabrics and urea formaldehyde in plywood, cause metals to corrode.

If your exhibit cases are made of wood, painted or unpainted, place Mylar under items on display. Mylar creates a barrier from the acids in the wood. Make sure there is filtered air flow through these cases, too, in order to avoid a build up of acidic fumes.

When constructing new exhibits, consider constructing cases out of inert materials, such as Plexiglas and metal.

Courses we recommend:



MS204: Materials for Storage and Display
              Apr 12 - May 7, 2010
              Course Description & Info - Student Login
              Price: $475     [Add to Cart]   [View Cart]
              Instructor: Helen Alten
MS242: Museum Microclimates
              Jan 4 - Jan 29, 2010
              Course Description & Info - Student Login
              Price: $475     [Add to Cart]   [View Cart]
              Instructor: Jerry Shiner
Books and products we recommend:

Collections Caretaker Vol 1 No 4
Vol.1 No.4
Indoor Generated Pollutants
$5.00
[Add to Cart] [View Cart]





Silica GelSilica Gel by Raymond H. Lafontaine provides information on the use of silica gel, how it controls RH, and how it is conditioned for use and maintained. Specific topics dealt with include: the problems of display case leakage, how silica gel fulfills the requirements of a humidity buffering agent, and the maintenance of a silica gel buffered display case.
Silica Gel $10.00
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Security Hardware and Security System Planning for MuseumsSecurity Hardware and Security System Planning for Museums by Wayne Kelly helps cultural institutions with their preparations against threats of theft and vandalism. Numerous, inexpensive methods of improving security and various types of currently available sensors and computerized alarm systems are illustrated and described. Several kinds of sensors and their placement within a standardized level of protection proposed for each area in a cultural facility are also recommended.
Security Hardware &
Security System Planning		 $14.00
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Links to related information on other sites:

1.12 Air Pollution Control Within Museum Display Cases by Active and Passive Sorbent Strategies.
http://www.getty.edu/conservation/science/abstracts/1.12.html

1.18 Development of a Hermetically Sealed Nitrogen Atmosphere Display Case
http://www.getty.edu/conservation/science/abstracts/1.18.html

1.22 Moisture Buffering Capability of Museum Storage Cases.
http://www.getty.edu/conservation/science/abstracts/1.22.html

Exhibiting
 |--Exhibit Materials--|--Display Cases--|
|--Testing Materials--|--Light Levels--|--Mounts--|--Transporting--|

Collection Care
 |--General--|--Environment--|--Numbering--|--Storing--|--Exhibiting--|--Handling--|--Cleaning--|
|--Care by Type--|--Pest Control--|--Security--|--Long Range Planning--|--Emergency Preparedness--|



P.O. Box 8081, St. Paul, MN 55108   Phone: (651) 659-9420

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Updated 19 Aug 2006