Collection Conundrums_

Collection Conundrums! Solving Collection Management Mysteries The Perfect Accession Hiram Powers The Greek Slave Courtesy of The Newark Museum, Gift of Franklin Murphy, Jr., 1926 26.2755 Accession Accession, accessioned, accessioning Accessioning is the two-part process of acquiring an object (acquisition) and documenting an object (registration). The two parts of the process hinge on transfer of title to the museum. Acquisition vs. Accession An acquisition is anything acquired by a museum. It only becomes an accession if it goes through the museum‟s formal process for accepting objects into the permanent collection. Registration Registration is “the process of developing and maintaining an immediate, brief, and permanent means of identifying an object for which the institution has permanently or temporarily assumed responsibility.” To register an object is to record it according to the registration system that the museum has developed. Accession number, catalog number An accession number is a control number, unique to an object, the purpose of which is identification, not description. A catalog number is a number used to classify or describe an object within a system. A given object at a given museum often does not require both numbers. Abandoned Property Property to which the owner has relinquished all rights. Doorstep Donation Abandoned property, left at the museum without documented intent but in a situation where intent to donate can be clearly inferred, has been described as „doorstep donation.‟ This term takes away the confusion caused by the more general term „abandoned.‟ Undocumented Objects and FIC Imari bowl Found with no indication of source Given a tracking number Discovered to be an unprocessed part of a 1988 gift in 2008 Undocumented Objects Undocumented objects are those objects similar to collections and found in collection areas with no numbers, no information in their housing, nor any characteristics that might connect them to documentation. FIC Found in Collection objects are undocumented objects that remain after all attempts to reconcile them to existing records of permanent collection and loan objects have failed. Old Loans Lost artist, lost owner: Mildred Jerome Eve, life size! Loaned in 1935 Old Loans Old loans are objects for which there is documentation (possibly with terms expired) indicating that an owner intended to lend the material. For a loan to be an „old loan‟ all contact with the lender must have been lost. Permanent Loan A permanent loan is a long term loan with no definite termination date. The term is an oxymoron, and should not be used. Deaccession Risk Chart Deaccession Risk Chart Value MOST RISK $1 million + Disposition method Clarity of Title Clouded title; Old Loans Object type Unique Destroy Undocumented/FIC Return to source Accession number only Small series Sell privately Unsigned deed of gift (no value) Sell at auction Unclear documentation Limited edition, artist Exchange Object and/or source card file Repatriate Annual reports Limited edition, manufactured Give to non-profit Report to trustees LEAST RISK $0 Internal Transfer Clear title: Deed of Gift Bill of sale; Old Loan law process Mass produced (man-made) Abundant (natural)