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Oops, Kate - I apologize for that earlier email, which obviously should *not* have sent to the whole list. However, I think it does bear further explanation. While I understand the ethical issues there are multiple potential uses for mounted specimens and I don't think a blanket "no" to the question of restoration is necessarily the way forward. You have to weigh the conservation issues against other factors. Now I'm going to go off and kick myself on behalf of all the conservators I just offended. C. ============================= Dr. Christopher A. Norris Senior Collection Manager, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology Peabody Museum of Natural History 170 Whitney Ave. PO Box 208118 New Haven, CT 06520-8118 Tel. +1(203)-432-3748 Fax. +1(203)-432-9816 ________________________________________ From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew, Kate [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 2:25 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Re-dyeing faded feathers Re-dying feathers (or fur) is not ethical and the view that faded specimens are worthless is somewhat outdated. Poor care of natural history specimens historically is why there are no Dodo specimens left. Kate Andrew -----Original Message----- From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bethany Palumbo Sent: 15 February 2010 14:41 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re-dyeing faded feathers I am currently writing a dissertation on the procedures of re-dyeing faded bird feathers and the ethical debate that follows involving conservators/curators/general public. I am looking for links to- -Dyes/pigments that could be recommended. -Ideas into alternatives to the physical replacement of colour (photography prior to display, etc). -The basic molecular make up of melanin and carotene and how dyes effect it chemically. I am also asking for the opinions of professionals. Do you believe it is ethically right to re-dye feathers? Are faded birds worth having in a museum of Natural History if the general public cannot learn from them? If anyone has any ideas which could help I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you B Any opinion expressed in this e-mail or any attached files are those of the individual and not necessarily those of Herefordshire Council. You should be aware that Herefordshire Council monitors its email service. This e-mail and any attached files are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee. This communication may contain material protected by law from being passed on. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this e-mail in error, you are advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please contact the sender immediately and destroy all copies of it.