1 INTRODUCTION

The holdings of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, in addition to book and archival collections that receive traditional housings, include three-dimensional objects and artworks. The Conservation Department frequently designs and constructs unique housings for these objects. The Swanson “leaf portraits” were too brittle for hinging, foldering, or polyester encapsulation; a modified standard print box with a friction mount was made to house these items. Of the 12 oversize maps in the H. P. Kraus Collection, 8 were flat and 4 were on stretchers; all were inadequately housed. Traditionally such items would be stored in flat files or encapsulated in polyester. These maps were too large for available flat files and were thought to be too heavy and too delicate for hanging encapsulation. In addition, safe transportation of the maps from one floor of the library to another by elevator was a necessary consideration. The following details the design and construction of these housings.