I would appreciate seeing images of repository stamps or marks. Lee ---- Leon C. Miller, Manuscripts Librarian Special Collections, Jones Hall Tulane University Libraries New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 ph: 504-865-5685, fx: 504-865-5761, [log in to unmask] http://specialcollections.tulane.edu -----Original Message----- From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Everett Wilkie Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 12:30 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Marking Manuscripts As one who was heavily involved in creating the current RBMS Security Guidelines and its marking recommendations, I would like to point out that the recommendations there are based on sound theory and practice and on some unfortunate experiences. Also speaking as one who has been, to his dismay, involved over the past several years in efforts by various libraries to recover their stolen manuscripts, I can assure everyone that an institutional property stamp is the be-all and end-all of recovery efforts if your materials are stolen. If the visible mark fails in its role as a deterrent and your manuscript is stolen anyway, that mark is going to be removed, even if the thief has to cut it out. That is why the invisible mark is so important; with any luck the thief will not see it and it will remain on the document to provide proof. Such things as cataloguing records, scans, microfilms, etc., are all dubious proofs subject to interpretation. I know of cases wherein the stolen document and the image have been put side by side, and you'd be surprised how different they can appear. Also, regrettably, such excuses as it is too much trouble to mark materials or that doing so is too daunting a task or that it hurts the material will also be turned against a library seeking to recover stolen materials, especially if any amount of time has passed between the theft and its recovery. Such defenses as estoppal and laches will be raised to deny the library the recovery of its material, especially if the material is unmarked. Lack of marks will merely be interpreted to mean that the library did not take reasonable measures within its grasp to protect its property and will be advanced as yet another reason the aggrieved purchaser does not have to return the materials. Mark your stuff! Don't join the unhappy group of librarians and archivists who get to see a judge hand possession of their property to somebody else. Besides, SAA endorses those Guidelines as best professional practice. No reason not to follow them. Everett Wilkie 2006 Carey Road Kinston, NC 28501 [log in to unmask] 252-522-0261 Cell: 717-419-9419 "Join us for our groundbraking" --Sign A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>