GLOSSARY

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M

magic lantern slide

A 19th century transparent slide, viewed using a still-picture projector. A magic lantern slide was made up of a positive image on glass and a cover glass bound together using black tape at the edges. The first magic lantern slides were hand-painted images. Photographic magic lantern slides date from 1849; they used albumen emulsion on glass transparencies.

management by objectives

A management technique for achieving greater efficiency in an organisation by setting targets and motivating staff. Factors impeding the achievement of objectives are identified and action taken to overcome them. Results are appraised periodically and new targets set where necessary.

manual index

An alphabetical listing, usually on cards, of objects in a collection, classified usually under subject groupings.

marbled paper

Paper decorated by transferring to its surface intermingled colours which have been floated on a gum solution. Many of the traditional patterns resemble marble.

mechanical damage

See Physical damage.

Melinex

See Mylar, Mylar D.

microclimate

The climate of a very small or confined area. Microclimates can occur within contained objects such as showcases or book cabinets.

microcrystalline wax

A petroleum wax containing small, indistinct crystals, and having a higher molecular weight, melting point and viscosity than paraffin wax. It is used in conservation work as a reversible surface coating for objects. Renaissance Wax is a type of microcrystalline wax-this is a trademark/brandname.

microwatts/lumen, µWatts/lumen

The unit which measures the amount of ultraviolet energy coming from a light source. The unit microwatts/lumen is usually written as µWatts/lumen.

mildew

A plant disease caused by mould. Mildew appears as a powdery or downy growth on the host surface. See also Fungus.

millboard

A dense, hard-milled, machine-made book board made of pulped waste paper. In bookbinding, it is usually encased in a fabric or leather to make the cover of a book. The better grades of millboard used to be handmade from rope fibre. Called binder's board in the United States.

mineral fillers

See Filler.

mineral tanned

Tanned using mineral salts to chemically stabilise the skins. Chrome salts are used to produce leathers which are hard-wearing, stable and water-resistant. These leathers are not easily embossed and are generally not preferred for fine bookbinding work. See also Vegetable tanned; Tanning.

mordant

a) In textiles, a substance used to fix the colour in dyeing or fabric-printing, especially for fabrics of plant origin. The fabric is impregnated with the mordant, then during the dying process the dye reacts with the mordant, forming a chemical bond and attaching it firmly to the fabric.

b) In paper making, papermaker's alum is used as a mordant for fixing rosin size to paper. Because rosin does not attach readily to paper, papermaker's alum is needed to create a firm bond between the two.

c) In gilding and bookbinding, the adhesive used by gilders to secure pigment or leaf metal to paper, parchment or wood; gold size is a mordant.

Moulds

See Fungus.

mounting

The process of attaching a work to a supporting surface known as a mount or mat, either before framing or as a protective enclosure without framing. See also Backing board; Conservation mounting; Mounts, mats; Window mount.

mounts, mats

A mount or mat is made from two pieces of mount or mat board which are taped together along their longest edge so that they can open like a book. The flat paper item or photographic print which is being mounted is hinged onto the back board of the mount, which supports the work. The top board is called a window mount, and has an opening cut into it which frames the artwork.

Mounts protect flat paper items from physical damage; and if they are made from acid-free materials they also help to protect them from chemical damage. If the mount or mat board is of poor quality it can cause damage by introducing acids into the flat paper items. See also Window mount.

museum-quality

The quality of materials recommended for use in museums for conservation or for the long-term storage of valuable artefacts. These materials do not cause any deterioration in the artefacts with which they are in contact. The term is often used interchangeably with conservation-quality. The meanings may also be differnet in other countries. Therefore specifications should be checked when purchasing paper and board. See also Conservation grade; Rag paper.

Museums Australia

The national association of museums, art museums, other collecting institutions and those who work in them, including volunteers. Membership is open to those who subscribe to the ethics and aims of the association. Museums Australia was formed in 1993 by the amalgamation of the Council of Australian Museum Associations (CAMA) and other art- and museum-related bodies. Museums Australia is administered by a national council and by branches in each State. It publishes a quarterly journal, holds a national annual conference and, at state level, administers extensive programs for local museums and offers advice to its members.

Mylar, Mylar D

A plastic sheet made of polyester, used extensively in conservation work. Mylar is a brand name; Melinex is another brand name for the same material. Mylar D is one type of Mylar which is inert and safe to use as an archival material-this is a trademark/brand name.