ITEMS

Smithsonian letter to USU announcing the return of Old Ephraim's skull

Letter dated May 9, 1978, from George R. Zug, Smithsonian Cairman of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology to Utah State University president Glen L. Taggart announcing the return of Old Ephraim's skull to the University. Senator Orrin Hatch is set to accompany the skull on its trip back. Zug advocates certain exhibition conditions to preserve the skull while it is displayed.

SCA files, Old Ephraim loan file

1978-05-09

Reproduction for publication, exhibition, web display or commercial use is only permissible with the consent of the USU Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives (email: SCWeb@usu.edu)

SCA-LOAN-FdOldEphraim-19780509-001.pdf

National Museum of Natural History. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 20560. Tel. 202-381-6127 May 9, 1978. [Stamp] Office of the President May 15, 1978 Utah State University Dr. Glen L. Taggart Office of the President Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 Dear Dr. Taggart: I understand that Senator Hatch will personally deliver Old Ephraim’s skull to you on Friday, 12 May 1978, for exhibit in your main library building. No exceptional environmental conditions are required for maintaining vertebrate skeletal material. However, constant temperature and humidity (approximately 50%) are highly desirable, for wide and sharp fluctuations do damage natural history specimens. Mr. Hillyard of the Cache Chamber of Commerce briefly outlined your exhibit plans on a phone conversation, and those plans are acceptable. When you receive the shipment, please sign and date the white copy of the shipping invoice enclosed and return it to NMNH Registrar’s Office, 63A Mazzanine, Mail Stop 170, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560. Sincerely yours, [signature] George R. Zug Chairman, Department of Vertebrate Zoology. Encl. (1)