MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

MCI 6275 Darwin’s Neckerchief
MCI Staff: Mary W. Ballard, Cathy Zaret, Elizabeth Shuster
Darwin’s scarf is included in exhibition cases entitled Darwin’s Legacy at the
Constitution Avenue entrance of the National Museum of Natural History (by the main entrance
to the Library branch at NMNH), from September 10, 2009 to September 12, 2010 . A mount
was made for Darwin’s scarf using 8 ply rag board and the dark brown twill fabric to be used
throughout the exhibition cases. A ¼” pellon envelope was used to pad the surface; the brown
exterior fabric was squared into alignment. All layers were sequentially stitched in place. The
mount was delivered to a SIL book conservator for installation preparation and review by the
Office of Exhibits Central.
As a precaution, the fabric was tested for its stability to crocking and solvents, including
water. Crocking is the propensity of a dye to rub off upon an adjacent fabric; both the horizontal,
weighted crockmeter that rubs lengthwise and the vertical, weighted crockmeter that rubs in a
single, circular spot. The dye and fabric were fast to both treatments. In addition, the fabric
proved stable to the following: water (as from a ceiling leak), acetone (a ketone used with nail
polish and nail polish remover, old label removal), trichloroethylene (analogue for methylene
chloride, solvent in Plexiglas mount manufacture), ethanol (active component in drinks at an
soirée), sodium lauryl sulfate (anionic surfactant), and octyl phenyl ethoxylate (used in nonionic
surfactant). The fabric did not bleed in a saturated sandwich with any of the above.
It is anticipated that MCI will review and monitor the scarf and, as needed, assist with
refolding or adjusting the scarf during the months on exhibition.
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