Writing for those with little or no technical background, Appelbaum clarifies the various phenomena that affect objects, how those objects respond, and what to do about it. The first half of the book covers five basic topics of preservation, and the second part goes into detail about the needs of specific materials and objects.

Presents the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago in Illinois, featuring over 7000 objects spanning five centuries of Western and Eastern civilizations. Provides information about exhibitions, events, the collection, educational programs, and membership. Posts contact information via mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail.

The authoritative guide to the MFA Boston's era-spanning collections of art, ceramics, jewelry and much more This newly updated edition of the definitive guide to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's most enduring masterpieces provides an enticing introduction to a collection that circles the globe and spans thousands of years. Featuring more than 500 works of art--from Native American ceramics to European silver, Egyptian funerary arts to Warhol silkscreens, alongside world-renowned paintings and sculpture, all reproduced in vibrant color--this substantial guide invites readers and visitors alike to experience the surprise, delight and inspiration offered by the collections of a major museum.

Preserve, Protect, and Defend: A Practical Guide to the Care of Collections is an essential text for museum professionals, volunteers and consultants across a wide range of responsibilities: curators, registrars, collections managers, archivists, museum administrators, museum educators, conservators, art historians, operations staff, designers, engineers, architects, building contractors, suppliers, security specialists, and pest control experts. The topics are wide ranging: conservation assessments; practical advice for examining collections and buildings to uncover collection safety issues; routine collection safety practices; preparing for the unexpected, including wind and water penetration, fire and smoke, and infestations; and controlling the museum environment including temperature and relative humidity, light and lighting, and air quality. The book also offers an inside look into the world of museums and the people who work in them. Written in the accessible-and sometimes irreverent-style that the author is famous for, this book is a must-have for everyone who cares for collections and the buildings that house them-museums of all sizes, archives, libraries, and private collections.