Helen and Tina, I concur that the micro vacuum is a great device for loose dust, and that the feather type and condition is critical. I was at the feather conference with Gretchen!
It is important for Tina to realize that no matter who ultimately cleans these feathers, that it is essential to note whether they have been previously treated with toxic pesticides, creating a health risk. Helen, I will contact you off list for additional information about your observations of lighting damage to feathers. Ellen Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:56:25 -0400 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [pestlist] Cleaning of White Bird Feathers Brushing into a vacuum works if the dust is lose. A modified fish pump makes a great micro vacuum, as per instructions from CCI. In the online class Museum Cleaning Basics, which starts next Monday at museumclasses.org, Gretchen Anderson teaches a wide range of cleaning methods that can be successfully used by the non-conservator. One of these is how to build and use the modified fish pump. Finally, the feathers' condition may affect how they should be cleaned. For example, dust is one problem. But are they fragile from over exposure to light or heat? Are they split? Are they primarily plumous? (Ostrich feathers are more fragile to clean than snowy owl feathers, for example). I have noted that light damage gives feathers a ragged look - the barbules and edges break easily. This might affect cleaning choices. Gretchen just returned from a Canadian workshop just on feathers, so she would be great to discuss the problem with, too. Best, Helen Alten On 07/14/2010 6:05 PM, Tina Campbell wrote: Thank you for the information. I saw it with another e-mail. Tina --- On Wed, 7/14/10, Ellen Pearlstein <[email protected]> wrote: From: Ellen Pearlstein <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [pestlist] Cleaning of White Bird Feathers To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 3:00 PM I'm not sure this came through this morning! From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [pestlist] Cleaning of White Bird Feathers Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:02:57 -0700 Hi Tina, In case you have access to a good library, I heartily recommend the book Fur Trade Legacy (2005) Margot Brunn and Jim Burns, eds., Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property, where there are excellent papers on feather cleaning methods. I am also attaching an ICOM-CC Ethno Group Newsletter with a really well illustrated article by Nancy Fonicello on feather cleaning. By the way, UCLA Conservation and the Getty Conservation Institute are collaborating on a study about color changes in undyed featherwork, due either to light exposure, solvent contact, mechanical contact, or other phenomena. Anyone reading this list who has observed reactions such as those described---or the opposite i.e. surprisingly excellent retention of color!---please do send me a note! Ellen Pearlstein UCLA/Getty Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:04:27 -0700 From: [email protected] Subject: [pestlist] Cleaning of White Bird Feathers To: [email protected] Hello Everyone, Can anyone recommend a method or person on how to clean white feathers from birds that are covered in years of dust? Thank you, Tina Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Learn more. The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy. -- Helen I. Alten Northern States Conservation Center www.collectioncare.org www.museumclasses.org _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4
