Material Histories
A Textile’s Selvedge Can Reveal an Edge Made During Weaving
The edge of a textile sample can carry information that its central pattern does not. A finished woven edge deserves a different description from an edge…
A closer look at material history
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Archive Trails
A Transparent Case Changes What an Object Photograph Lets You See
Photographing an object behind glass can introduce reflections, edges and highlights that seem to belong to the object itself. Reading the image carefully…
Collection Notes
Left and Right Belong in the Description of a Paired Object
A museum record describing a pair can hide meaningful differences if both pieces are treated as interchangeable. Orientation matters for gloves, shoes and…
Collection Notes
Unnumbered Marks on a Ruler Still Need a Unit
The small divisions between printed numbers often carry most of a ruler’s practical information. Counting those marks without identifying the scale can…
Material Histories
A Rotary Egg Beater Makes a Gear Train Part of Kitchen History
A hand-cranked egg beater turns one repeated movement into another. Looking at the mechanism can reveal a practical design problem without requiring us to…
Archive Trails
On Loan in a Gallery Does Not Mean Acquired by the Museum
An object can appear in a museum exhibition while belonging to another collection or lender. Reading the credit line helps distinguish where an item is…
Archive Trails
A Serial Number and a Model Number Answer Different Collection Questions
Two objects can share a model designation while carrying different serial numbers. When recording manufactured equipment, copying only the largest printed…
Collection Notes
A Packing Diagram Can Explain Which Piece Is Missing from a Set
A fitted case with an empty recess invites a guess about what belonged there. A documented packing diagram can provide stronger evidence than matching the…