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Agenda item
Transfer of material to Battle Museum
Minutes:
Cathy Walling, Museum Curator, presented a report to inform members of a request from Battle Museum to convert loans into donations.
1. The Curator said she had received a request from Battle Museum of Local History to consider converting some of the long term loans to Battle Museum into donations. Most of the items have been on permanent exhibition for over 50 years and form part of the permanent display in their galleries. She said Battle Museum had requested that four items which were excluded from a gift in 1968: Stothard’s Bayeux Tapestry prints; mezzotint of Isaac Ingall, Isaac Ingall’s walking stick and the Allwork collection of Battle prints, and the four items loaned in 2003 associated with the gunpowder industry, become a donation.
The Museum Accreditation process very strongly recommends that where possible long term/permanent loans are converted into donations.
The complete list of items is:
1. Stothard's Bayeux tapestry prints
2. Allworks albums of prints of Battle
3. Isaac Ingall's walking stick
4. Mezzotint of Isaac Ingall
5. Eprouvette with V-shaped spring
6. Eprouvette with flint lock mechanism
7. 2 powder scoops made of copper
Mrs Barrett raised concern that the items would not be returned if Battle Museum were to fold. Apart from Isaac Ingall’s walking stick and Mezzotint of Isaac Ingall, she said she would be disappointed if these items were given in perpetuity to a small local voluntary run museum and were not kept as part of the treasures of Hastings. She stressed that there would be no control or legal entitlement once the items have been gifted.
Mrs Purdey sought clarification on whether Battle Museum held the original Stothard Bayeux Tapestry print and Hastings held a copy of it. The Curator confirmed that they were both limited prints which were produced at the same time and neither one was the original. Mrs Purdey suggested Hastings donate the Allworks albums of prints of Battle; Isaac Ingall's walking stick and Mezzotint of Isaac Ingall. She raised concern that if Battle Museum were to fold there would be no display in the Hastings area on the gunpower industry.
Councillor Street asked the Curator to explain what would happen to the items if Battle Museum were to close. The Curator said that as they were a fully accredited museum, they would not be able to sell items but would be able to pass them back to Hastings.
Mr Dudman recommended that there should be a written agreement with any loan which states that if Battle Museum were to close they are legally obliged to return the items. The Curator explained that this is what is covered by the accreditation standard and would appear on a standard loan agreement.
Councillor Forward asked why Battle Museum wanted the items converted to donations. The Curator explained that they had been asked to contact their lenders and turn items into donations; similarly Hastings do the same with items on permanent loan. She said permanent loans should be renewed every 5/10 years if the lending institution prefers not to transfer the loan into a donation.
Mrs Barratt proposed an amendment to the officers’ recommendation as set out in the resolution below. This was seconded by Councillor Street.
RESOLVED (– that the Committee recommend the donation of the following items to Battle Museum:-
1. Allworks albums of prints of Battle
2. Isaac Ingall's walking stick
3. Mezzotint of Isaac Ingall
The remaining items be retained by long term loan:-
4. Stothard's Bayeux tapestry prints
5. Eprouvette with V-shaped spring
6. Eprouvette with flint lock mechanism
7. Powder scoops made of copper
Supporting documents:
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