Cases.
The making of cases is little understood, and least by professional case-makers. Cases are often supplied in London with the grain entirely running round them, and nothing to prevent their splitting around and dropping in two parts. The most perfect construction is that with the grain running in all three directions ([Fig. 52)], but such boxes have the disadvantage that the lid cannot be entirely removed. The most practical form is with internal corner-posts, and the sides nailed to these with all the grain running around. First the end boards are nailed on to the corner strips, and then the side boards nailed on. All the nails should be driven diagonally ([Fig. 53]), alternately one way and the other, so that no board can be drawn off without splitting the wood. And the end nails should always be close to the edge, and rake deep down into the comer strip, to avoid splitting the end; thus the edge of the board cannot part off with all the lid or bottom nailed to it. For as the whole weight comes on the last inch of the sides on to which the bottom is nailed, unless that is well held on it often parts from the rest of the side. The lid is of course nailed on with upright nails so as to draw off; and a large number of short nails, projecting only ¾ inch, is the best for this, as if large nails are used the lid splits during opening and leaves the nail in the side.
Fig. 52.—Box without cross bars, the grain running in all three dimensions.
If a case is long, it is best to have some other upright strips down the sides. Partitions bearing against these strips are good to keep weight from riding down when the box is dropped on one end. If objects vary much in density it is convenient to pack a heavy compartment in the middle and a light one at each end of a case. Any bars or boards used to hold down heavy pieces from shifting should not be nailed through the sides, as damage is often done by the violence needed to loosen them in unpacking. Such bars should be held in place by side strips, or other solid articles in the packing. Tin pots are very convenient to protect small and delicate things, and to hold heavy objects from shifting about.
Fig. 53.—End of a box in course of making, to show the diagonal driving of the nails.
Unpacking.
The packer must always remember that the unpacker will not know the contents of a case, nor any precautions that are needful. The best arrangements, which may seem infallible, may be entirely upset by the unpacker opening the case at the bottom; hence no papers of directions in a case should be relied upon. Also the unpacking is generally left in museums to be done by rough labourers, who may entirely overlook needful precautions or even throw away most valuable things in the boxes. It is dangerous, therefore, to pack small objects in straw; nothing under 100 cubic inches should be put separately in the packing, anything less being put together in paper parcels. It must always be remembered that a careless unpacker may unwrap everything, and throw away the papers; hence no labelling or directions should be solely put on the wrappers. Even labels with objects are not safe; as in several museums the labels have been thrown away, or else stacked in a pile together. Labels should have printed on the back in big red letters, “To be kept with the object.” Marking upon each object is necessary, whenever possible. The best way to learn the difficulties and fallacies of packing is to carefully study the causes of any disasters found in the unpacking.
