As Mr. Goldstein points out, this fossil will definitely need to be mounted properly onto a stable backing material. Before this happens, it will be important to assess what previous preparation/reconstruction processes have already taken place for this specimen. The color of the surrounding matrix (some of which appears to have been restored with plaster or similar material) suggests that the fish is from the Niobrara chalk formation. This geologic unit offers some amazing preservation, but the specimens can be delicate.
I'm currently working on an exhibition which features a number of similar specimens (including Xiphactinus) which were long ago (as much as a century in some cases) restored or modified for display in ways that are now not consistent with currently accepted conservation standards. These specimens require careful evaluation to determine whether or not the removal of existing materials would be more dangerous to the fossil than leaving them in place. Once a specimen has been properly stabilized, a mounting armature designed to accommodate the morphology and structural limitations of that particular fossil is critical to the future survival of the specimen.
My experience with exhibit design firms has been that they generally do not have someone "in-house" that specializes in the reconstruction/restoration and mounting of fossils. When that need arises in one of their projects, they often hire people like me as subconstractors. On a larger exhibit project, this can offer the advantage of allowing the client (museum) to work primarily with a single company and avoid many of the challenges of managing all aspects of exhibit production. However, when the project is small (perhaps involving only a single specimen rather than an entire exhibit hall), it can be financially advantageous to the client to contract directly with the specialist and pay only for the services that they actually need.
Michael
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Michael Holland
Principal/Owner
Michael Holland Productions
Bozeman MT
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-28-2017 12:01 PM
From: Alan Goldstein
Subject: Display of Fossil
There are many museums that display fossil fish of that size. Xaphactinus is an impressive fish, because it looks like a "T. rex of the sea." (As opposed to its 'descendant' - the "chicken of the sea.") Since you are in Orange County, I'd suggest talking to someone at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
That specimen should be mounted on something rigid and then that larger structure is attached to a wall - assuming that the studs are strong enough to take the weight. An exhibit design firm can certainly help you by designing and fabricating a mount.
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Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2017 07:05 PM
From: Lindsay Shen
Subject: Display of Fossil
I'd like to reach out to colleagues who have experience displaying fossils. We have received a donation of a fossil for our new Science Building and are considering ways to display it. I've attached an image. It's quite large – 104 x 88 inches. Would be very grateful to start a conversation about best practices for display.
Thank you!
Lindsay
Lindsay Shen, Ph.D.
Director of University Art Collections
Chapman University
1 University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
Tel: (714) 628 2820
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