Custom Enclosures and Encasements for Historic Artifacts

1
Custom Enclosures and Encasements for Historic
Artifacts
Presented by Donald G. Etherington
2
Design Criteria

• What artifact or type of material is going to be
  displayed?
• Where will it be displayed and for how long?
• Will the object travel?
• What are the security requirements?
• What is the budget for the project?

3
Environmental Requirements

• How sensitive is the object to changes in
  temperature and relative humidity?
• What will be the difference in temperature and
  humidity outside of the enclosure versus the
  interior of the case?
• Can a stable interior environment be maintained
  and for how long?
• What will be the lighting conditions?
• Is it possible to make a maintenance free
  enclosure?

4
Framing and Matting Methods

• 100 rag window mat
• Plexiglas spacers
• Japanese paper hinges
• Chicago string mat vellum
• UF3 Plexiglas
• UV filtering glass
• Marvel Seal 360 moisture barrier
• Wood or metal frame

5
Basic Window Mat Structure
6
Gettysburg Display Case
7
Chicago String Mat
Linen threads maintain uniform tension
8
Carolina Charter
raking light unframed before treatment
mounted and framed after treatment
9
We the People.
cockling in the vellum - raking light view
1951 Encasement
10
1951 Enclosure for the Declaration of Independence
11
The Constitution of Puerto Rico
Capital Building of Puerto Rico
12
Design of the Rotunda Display Case
13
Capital Rotunda Interior View
14
Acrylic Frame for the Constitution of Puerto Rico
corner joint secured with acrylic screw
15
Documents mounted in acrylic frames
16
Silica gel tray
Document frames
17
Egyptian Mummy Case
18
Exploded View of Mummy Case
19
Constitution of India
20
Corner Joint and Gaskets
21
Case with applied trim
Case structure without edge moulding
22
Virginia Bill of Rights
23
Matting and Framing of the Bill of Rights
Plan of Matting and Framing of the Bill of Rights
Document Showing Layer Components of Platform
Support System
Prepared by Nathan Stolow April 15, 1990
24
Entrance to the Exhibition
25
Virginia Bill of Rights
Exhibition case and viewing stand
26
Transport Carriage
27
Birds Eye View of Exhibition Space
28
Security Vehicle
29
Weekly Document Status Report
30
Elevation of Environmentally Controlled Case
31
Magna Carta
32
Enclosure for the Magna Carta
33
Perforated Acrylic Platform for the Magna Carta
34
Magna Carta Mounted on Cloth Covered Perforated
Platform
Polyester mounting tabs
35
Rotunda National Archives
Magna Carta Encasement
36
Transportation Pad
37
Metal Transportation Case
38
Final Display Case for the Magna Carta