I don't know about poison, but some years ago I was told, possibly as an
urban myth, of a repository which had successfully discouraged searchers
from requesting original 17th cent burial registers by telling them that the
registers were still impregnated with Plague microbes (somewhere in London I
suspect - does anyone else remember this one?)
Gillian Sheldrick
-----Original Message-----
From: MD Hall, Assistant Archivist, Special Collection
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 December 2002 11:23
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: archivists in fiction
> Although not strictly about archives, I seem to remember
> that Eco's 'Name of the Rose' raised some interesting
> storage and access issues.
>
> Mike Webb
> Western Manuscripts
> Bodleian Library
>
> [log in to unmask]
While again underlining the pressing issue that Archivists not carry
around flaming materials. And I would say it is about Archives. I mean,
it is really of a time before there is any distance between the Archive
and the Library, nor does there need to be, as pretty much everything
produced is a primary source which can only be consulted for reference
purposes. Mind you, they do need to be more aware of the basic
questions of Conservation.
On another note, what do people think of poisoning books which are
considered too risky to let the public see? Has any research been done
on the effects of various noxious substances on parchment or paper
which has been soaked in them?
Regards,
Martin
----------------------
MD Hall, University of Bristol Library - Special Collections
[log in to unmask]
|