Putting It Into Practice

Case Design

Display Methods

Mounts, supports, and other exhibit materials should be made from inert materials like Plexiglas and polyester, or from neutral paper or 100% ragboard.

Documents in exhibit cases should be completely supported, whether they are matted or mounted (without adhesives) to a piece of ragboard or other preservation-quality material. Edge strips or some type of corner support (photo corners will work on most small items) can be used to attach the document securely to the mounting board, but adhesive should never be applied to the object itself. Documents that are not framed should be attached. Documents can also be encapsulated for protection, but keep in mind that this can cause paper to deteriorate more quickly.

Documents to be exhibited on walls should be matted and framed using museum-quality framing and hinging techniques. For more on these techniques, see Matting and Framing for Art and Artifacts on Paper and How to Do Your Own Matting and Hinging.

Books must be well supported to protect their bindings from strain. Wedges or cradles can be made from neutral matboard or Plexiglas. A stand or mount should support the entire cover(s) of a book as well as the spine. Reasonably good Plexiglas supports are available from conservation suppliers. Most books in general, and without exception all oversize books, should be exhibited at no more than a gentle angle.

If the book will not remain open naturally, a polyester band closed with 3M double-sided tape no. 415 can be used to hold the book open. Books can be structurally damaged by long-term exhibition in an open position, so exhibit periods must be limited. Turning the pages of a book every few days will prevent overexposure to light on one page.