[can-talk] Insuring Historical colelcitons

That is no small issue you raise there Susan.  It often depends on the type of collection. 
 
I've noticed often collections are not insured precisely because the items are irreplaceable and institutions usually cannot afford insurance cover. This is particularly relevant to social history collections (and very relevant to sport collections in my experience), as it it often the story and provenance behind and object which is of significance and the object itself does not really hold any innate value. However one institution I worked in was part of a larger organisation which paid the cover and it was for 'replacement value - like for like'. Which generally means current market value. Not particularly helpful if it is an object of special provenance which is lost.
 
In some institutions (often in galleries) they choose to pay for insurance cover as they feel it is essential to have the funds to rebuild the collection if something was to happen to it. 'Like for like' is a little more useful when rebuilding an art collection but clearly not perfect.
 
Valueing a social history collection can be a nightmare too, thousands of random objects, so I often wonder how you insure for a value which is usually unknown.
 
There is nothing like avoiding a problem in the first place.
 
I hope this helps somewhat.
 
Laura Stedman
 
Collection and Exhibitions Manager
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Bulleen, Victoria
 


Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:46:29 +0900From: Su.Ferreira at fesa.wa.gov.auTo: k at preservationaustralia.com.au; merle.hathaway at hrcc.vic.gov.au; can-talk at collectionsaustralia.netSubject: [can-talk] Insuring Historical colelcitons







Good morning all, (those of you on the western sea board I guess!!)
 
I have a question... it is concerned with the complex issue of insuring historical collections and if so to what level?  Insurance being part of the overall framework of disaster planning and preparedness I would gratefully receive anyone's comments or opinions on insurance. 
 
Is it worth insuring something you cannot replace if stolen or destroyed?
Does anyone use the a level of insurance that provides cover for repair and restoration only?  If the objects survives a disaster, that costs are covered to clean up and restore.
How do you value an object in financial terms which holds only local heritage value and provenance.... like horses hooves taken from a fire brigade horse as a memento post mortem? 
 
Any comments????
 
Cheers
Susan Ferreira Curator/Project Manager FESA Community Hazard Awareness Centre & Museum Community Development Fire & Emergency Services Authority of WA 
Phone: 9323 9460 Fax: 9323 9495 Mbl: 0409 719 032 email: su.ferreira at fesa.wa.gov.au www.fesa.wa.gov.au 
Street - 25 Murray Street Perth WA Postal - PO Box P1174 WA 6844 
FESA Museum Redevelopment Project - Supporting WA State Sustainability Strategy: conserving cultural heritage and helping to build sustainable and resilient communities.


-----Original Message-----From: can-talk-bounces at collectionsaustralia.net [mailto:can-talk-bounces at collectionsaustralia.net] On Behalf Of Kay SoderlundSent: Thursday, 17 January 2008 8:06 AMTo: 'Merle Hathaway'; 'CAN Talk'Subject: Re: [can-talk] Censorship

I fully agree with your sentiments Merle. It seems to me that the change in format from one discussion list on AMOL to the several different lists on CAN has resulted in a marked lessening of any type of discussion. A once vibrant and informative list on AMOL has turned into a notice board of events and job postings. I can’t remember the last interesting discussion that came up on CAN-talk. Perhaps it is time to re-consider the format and go back to just one list to deal with all communication needs?
 
Kay Soderlund
Preservation Australia
 




From: can-talk-bounces at collectionsaustralia.net [mailto:can-talk-bounces at collectionsaustralia.net] On Behalf Of Merle HathawaySent: Wednesday, 16 January 2008 12:12 PMTo: CAN TalkSubject: [can-talk] Censorship
 


As it is early in the year, and I'm not yet too busy to deal with this little irritation, I'll air it now. So could this please go through for comment by those CAN talk is supposed to serve - us, the subscribers. 

 

Since Can Talk replaced the AMOL listing I've tried several times to make comments, only to be told by the "gatekeeper" that my comments were not appropriate or should be elsewhere. 

 

I've always considered this a forum, especially useful for people like me who are isolated from their colleagues and remote from the large centres. Over the years I have really enjoyed the camaraderie we had. But our little chats and comments have now gone. There's little "talk".

 

I know we are all busy, and no-one appreciates being bombarded by trivia, but really, if the only comments allowed relate to obscure pieces of farm machinery, knitted doilies etc, then it becomes too dry and discouraging of discussion.

 

What do you think?

 

regards

m

 
Merle HathawayDirectorHorsham Regional Art Gallery80 Wilson Street, Horsham, Victoria 3400, Australia(03) 5362 2880 t  (03) 5382 5407 fWork mobile: 0447 595455www.horshamartgallery.com.au�
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