Thread-topic: [EXLIBRIS] Botanical specimens in books
If they remain in the book they are likely to be damaged or lost when
the book is used. I would remove them, encapsulate them separately in
Mylar, label each one with the page where they were found, and shelve
them with the book.
Carol Clausen
History of Medicine Division
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
phone: 301 435 4993
fax: 301 402 0872
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Stead [mailto:s.stead@UCL.AC.UK]
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 6:16 AM
To: EXLIBRIS@MAIL.ECW.NAME
Subject: [EXLIBRIS] Botanical specimens in books
Dear All,
I have in front of me a book on ferns , printed in 1855. A previous
(unidentified) owner has very carefully placed dried specimens of ferns
in the book. They are not glued or pinned in any way and so could be
removed. Some are labelled, most have obviously been placed in as
examples of the type described on the pages. So, should I remove them?
They have stained the book in places. But if I remove them what should I
do with them? I know nothing about preserving botanical specimens. I've
discovered odd preserved flowers in books before but never anything as
systematic as this. It seems a shame to disturb someone's work.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Susan
Susan Stead
Rare Books Librarian
UCL Library Special Collections
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 5154 (Internal Ext. 25154)
Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 5157
e-mail:s.stead@ucl.ac.uk
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/special-coll/index.shtml
On-line exhibition:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/special-coll/moc_remember.shtml
Digital Gallery: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ls/specdig/