Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Acquisition Mode (Source)

Definition:

Observations:

1. For better search results from the database, use this field with the following authority list:
   
   bequest
   An object left to your institution in an individual's will is transferred permanently to your institution.
   Example

   Javier Travino left a candlesnuffer to your institution when his will was read out on October 14, 1978.

   	Object Name	candlesnuffer
   	Acquisition Mode	bequest
   	Accession Date	1978-10-14
   	Source	Travino, Javier

   birth
   A specimen is born in your institution.
   
   deposit
   An object was placed on deposit with your institution for a limited time, with a view to your acquiring it.
   
   N.B.: It is common practice to use the term "deposit" for an object that has been placed with an institution for an unlimited time, but this is incorrect. In such cases, the appropriate term is "unlimited loan." This information cannot be entered in this field, however, because the object has not been acquired by the institution.
   
   N.B.: "Deposit" is a temporary acquisition mode. If objects have been deposited with your institution for an unspecified duration, acquisition procedures such as purchase or donation should be considered.
   Example

   A print by Albert Dumouchel was deposited with your institution on February 12, 1991, by Francis Dingwall, to be presented at the next meeting of the acquisitions committee.¹

   	Object Name	print
   	Artist/Maker	Dumouchel, Albert
   	Acquisition Mode	deposit
   	Accession Date	1991-02-12
   	Source	Dingwall, Francis

   excavation
   An authority mandated by your institution gathered an object by digging into the ground or looking underwater.
   
   N.B.: Underwater digs do not necessarily mean that the object was recovered from beneath the ground. It may have been freed from the surface under which it was at least partly buried.
   Example

   A button was acquired on September 18, 1988, during digs carried out on your institution's property, by an archaeologist working for your institution.

   	Object Name	button
   	Acquisition Mode	excavation
   	Accession Date	1988-09-18

   exchange
   An object is permanently transferred to your institution from another institution, in exchange for another object.
   Example

   You obtained an anklet on June 20, 1991, from the Jewellery Museum. In exchange, you gave it an object from your Museum.

   	Object Name	anklet
   	Acquisition Mode	exchange
   	Accession Date	1991-06-20
   	Source	Jewellery Museum

   found
   An authority mandated by your institution collected the object from the surface or in the water.
   
   This mode is most common for archaeological objects and natural science specimens.
   Example

   A gunflint was collected from the surface on May 6, 1985, by an archaeologist on an excursion organized by your institution on your land.

   	Object Name	gunflint
   	Acquisition Mode	found
   	Accession Date	1985-05-06

   gift
   An object has been given permanently to your institution.
   
   N.B.: It may be considered a gift even if your institution issues an income tax receipt.
   Example

   A Peruvian tapestry was given to your institution on May 27, 1976, by Joseph and Annie Grant

   	Object Name	tapestry
   	Originating Country	Peru
   	Acquisition Mode	gift
   	Accession Date	1976-05-27
   	Source	Grant, Annie; Grant, Joseph

   integration of art and architecture
   A work of art was acquired by your institution as part of the policy on integrating art with architecture and the environment in public buildings. Under this legislation, part of the construction budget for a public building (1 %) should go toward having a work of art created by a visual artist from Quebec.
   Example

   A painting was done for the entrance to the new wing of your institution by Michael Lawrence, on June 4, 1988, under the "1 % Act."

   	Object Name	painting
   	Artist/Maker	Lawrence, Michael
   	Acquisition Mode	integration of art and architecture
   	Accession Date	1988-06-04

   purchase
   The object was obtained by your institution in exchange for payment.
   Example

   A stained-glass window by Marcelle Ferron was obtained by your institution at a sale on November 21, 1990 from its owner, Christian Courval.

   	Object Name	stained-glass window
   	Artist/Maker	Ferron, Marcelle
   	Acquisition Mode	purchase
   	Accession Date	1990-11-21
   	Source	Courval, Christian

   staff commissioned
   An object was commissioned by your institution and produced by one or more individuals working for the institution.
   Example

   An exhibition display case was executed in 1910 by Wilfrid Castonguay, the architect who designed the building housing your institution. The display case is now part of your permanent collection.

   	Object Name	display case
   	Acquisition Mode	staff commissioned
   	Accession Date	1910

   transfer
   An object is permanently transferred from another institution to yours, or from the consolidated fonds of your institution to your collections.
   Example

   A commode, from the consolidated fonds of the congregation of the Sisters of Providence, was transferred to the decorative arts collection of your institution from the Museum of the Sisters of Providence on February 20, 1989.

   	Object Name	commode
   	Acquisition Mode	transfer
   	Accession Date	1989-02-20
   	Source	Congregation of the Sisters of Providence

   unknown
   Acquisition mode impossible to determine, even following research.
   Example

   Despite all your research, you cannot determine how your institution acquired a map made by Jodocus Hondius the Elder. Nonetheless, you know that the object came to your institution in 1968.

   	Object Name	map
   	Artist/Maker	Hondius, Jodocus, the Elder
   	Acquisition Mode	unknown
   	Accession Date	1968
   	Source	unknown

2. This field is used in conjunction with the Accession Date and Source fields.
   Example

   A prie-Dieu given to your institution by Paul Ranger on February 9, 1924

   	Object Name	prie-Dieu
   	Acquisition Mode	gift
   	Accession Date	1924-02-09
   	Source	Ranger, Paul

Entry rules:

1. Enter the full acquisition mode of the object; do not use abbreviations.
   Example

   A doll bequeathed by Henriette Laurier on March 14, 1982

   	Object Name	doll
   	Acquisition Mode	bequest
   	Accession Date	1982-03-14
   	Source	Laurier, Henriette

2. If you are unsure whether your information is correct, include a space and a question mark after the keyword.
   Example

   A barometer, probably purchased, in your collections since 1919.

   	Object Name	barometer
   	Acquisition Mode	purchase ?
   	Accession Date	1919
   	Source	unknown

3. This field may not contain more than one entry.