GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Specimen Identity Numbers may be suitable for this treatment.) Whatever is the
case, the resultant pages of numbers can be processed photographically and
reduced or enlarged thus providing a choice of 'tags' of different sizes suitable for
different specimens. (For dealing with very small specimens see B4.2.2.1.) The
thinnest photographic paper available for this task is Ilford 'Document'. An
alternative stragegy is to photocopy each page of numbers, again with the options
(on suitable machines) of reduction and enlargement. In this case 45glm2
acid-free paper has been used successfully for copying though care is required
with the paper feed as this weight of paper is outside the normal operating range
of photocopiers. Photocopying is clearly an easier solution than photographic
processes though a check must be made to see that the type of copy is suitable
(see C3.8.2.3): the permanence of photocopies remains uncertain, though the
indications so far are good.
Whatever the method of 'tag' production, each 'tag' must be glued to the
specimen securely. The choice of glue is important and not made easy by the very
large range of products available. Appendix I gives details of those most
commonly encountered. In the present context, water-soluble glues should be
avoided: they are prone to attack by damp, mould and insect attack. Aqueous
emulsions, e.g. polyvinyl acetate are much better, as are the various non-aqueous
glues. Irreversible epoxy glues must never be used. Paper should be thin enough
to allow a 'tag' to mould itself to the surface texture of the specimen whilst under
light finger pressure, and be held in that position by the glue. Dampening the
'tag' can help in this process. On rough surfaces a good bond can be achieved by
sandwiching a small piece of cotton wool, soaked in glue, between the paper and
the specimen. Applied 'tags' are frequently sealed against damage by a smear of
the glue used for the initial application.
The major advantage of paper 'tag' marking is that it is fully removable. By the
same to~en, the disadvantage is that such 'tags' may drop off, be knocked off or
become so physically damaged by wear and tear as to become illegible. Sealing,
as described above, will help prevent damage from light abrasion. The convenience
of this method also recommends it.
1.3.4.2. Specimen labels
The nature of labels varies greatly, particularly in terms of the range of methods
and techniques used over the last two centuries. Perhaps the only general rule
that should normally apply to modern labels is that they be made from acid-free
rag-based paper or card and written in a permanent medium. In certain
situations, the curator may justifiably compromise this ideal, for example in the
use of labels generated by computer. In no circumstances should flimsy paper or
newsprint be used.
Labels vary considerably in size, though a 3" X 2 format is widespread and
sufficient to accommodate the required information in most circumstances.
These characteristics aside it is true to say that there are as many different
styles of label as there are museums. The paragraphs below briefly assess the
most common.
(1) Loose labels. The convenience and simplicity of writing out a label and
placing it with a specimen in its container explains the widespread use of the
system. A major disadvantage, that cannot easily be overcome, is that a label will
usually be obscured by the specimen, or vice versa. Other problems can be