Mounts should be made from chemically inert materials like 100% cotton board/paper, non-dyed cotton and/or linen, inert polyester, or other stable plastics like Plexiglas or Vivak. Any mounts containing metal should not have the metal touching an object itself. Contact conservation if the metal will react to anything you are placing in the case.
Handmade mounts should be made several weeks in advance of the exhibit so adhesives can appropriately off gas.
Items should be placed in their most stable position when on display--resting on their most stable side. Mounts should be made to ensure the stability of the item, without endangering the item itself.
Book mounts should support the entire book--being aware of forces placed particularly on the spine of the book--and should stabilize books to prevent vibration. Books should be displayed closed as much as possible as that is when they are the most stable. If books are displayed open, a mount should be made to specifically stabilize that book open to that page. Inert polyester straps can be used to keep that page open. However, open books should only be displayed for a short amount of time as light damage and structural damage can occur over a longer exhibit.
When items are too unstable for exhibit, even with proper mounting, consider having a replica made.
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