Beyond repair – deaccession and the management of plastics

Abstract

The deaccession (removal) of items from a collection involves assessment of an item's significance or value to that collection. Conservators aid this curatorial decision-making process by providing expert advice on the item's condition. Six case studies involving the ‘gross deterioration' of plastics were examined from Museums Victoria's deaccession record, for information that illuminates how an object's material condition affects its perceived significance. A further eight case studies included commentary on the condition of plastic components, even if condition was not a contributing factor to the argument for deaccession. In determining resource allocations for managing plastics in collections, these case studies suggest it may be useful to prioritise preventive interventions for objects made entirely or substantially from at-risk plastics such as cellulose acetate, polyurethane, or rubber; objects that are stand-alone examples of their kind; and objects intended as ‘single use'. Further, for social history collections, deterioration such as yellowing, surface abrasion and hardening may not make a critical difference to an object's value. Change that significantly alters an object’s original shape, such as crumbling or severe distortion, is more likely to result in deaccession.