Conserve Our Collections Event, 2015

On the 18^th November we hosted the annual event to promote our Conserve our Collections scheme. The scheme, which was launched in 2013, has been invaluable in enabling us to preserve some of the treasures in our collections. Six archive items, fourteen books and seven artworks have already benefitted from conservation since the scheme began.

Our guest speaker this year was medical historian Kirsty Chilton who provided a fascinating insight into the world of the ‘resurrection man’ Joseph Naples, while discussing his diary, which is held in our archives (ref. MS0024). Her expertise and enthusiasm for the subject was palpable and her talk was very well received by the audience.

After the lecture, guests enjoyed refreshments and nibbles and had the opportunity to see some rare and significant items from our collections which are in need of conservation. These included William Cheselden’s Osteographia, or, The Anatomy of the Bones, 1733 (from the Library’s collections), a Contract for materials and works for erection of a new museum and other buildings, 1852 (from the Archives) and a surgical instrument set, c1820, made by Evans of London containing instruments for amputation and trepanation (from the Museum).

Also displayed were some examples of items which have already benefitted from conservation under the scheme, and there was a chance for guests to mingle and ask questions of the collections staff. We would like to thank all who support the Conserve our Collections scheme therefore making this important conservation possible.

Geraldine O’Driscoll, Library & Archives Assistant