May 1, 1997
Contact:
Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189
Top "Treasures" Get Top Case
A special exhibition case -- unique in the world --
has been custom-built for the most valuable and fragile
treasures to be displayed in the exhibition "American
Treasures of the Library of Congress." The show, which
opens to the public on May 1, is the largest permanent
exhibition ever mounted by the Library of Congress.
The "top treasures" case, which weighs 3 tons and is
12 feet long and 10 feet high, was built according to the
highest standards of preservation and security. It is
reserved exclusively for the Library's rarest and most
valuable items. Initially, the case is being used to house
a group of documents in Thomas Jefferson's own hand relating
to the creation of the Declaration of Independence,
including the "rough draft" and an even earlier fragment,
on display through July 31.
Because of preservation considerations, the Library's
"top treasures" will be shown on a rotating basis. George
Mason's 1776 "Virginia Declaration of Rights," which laid
the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence, will be
on view from August 1 through October 31.
The case was developed by the Library of Congress,
in cooperation with Explus Inc., Dulles, Va., in association
with Carl F. Booth and Company, New Albany, Ind.; Creative
Edge Corporation, Fairfield, Iowa; and Norment Industries,
Montgomery, Ala., all of whom made contributions of
materials and expertise.
The case consists of a high-hard-steel display chamber
within an exterior of maple veneer with mahogany inlays.
On either side, two large viewing windows are glazed with a
specially rated ballistics polycarbonate and glass laminate.
Temperature and humidity can be maintained within minimum
tolerances of plus or minus 1 degree Fahrenheit or 1 percent
humidity. Although currently set for the optimum
preservation conditions of 50 degrees and 50 percent
relative humidity, higher temperatures can be maintained.
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PR 97-84
5/1/97
ISSN 0731-3527