Save the V&A instrument collection

[Southern Comfort]

If anyone here is concerned by the fact that the Victoria & Albert Museum in London has taken a decision to close its priceless Instrument Collection in the Spring of this year to make more room for fashion clothing and costumes, read on. Besides their obvious aesthetic beauty, these instruments represent a treasure-trove of knowledge to harpsichord and organ builders, amongst others; they give pleasure to music lovers in general who visit, and represent a unique part of our cultural heritage. For a major museum to hide away a collection of such national if not global significance is without conscience or precedent. Other countries would never allow such a thing to happen. The condition of the instruments will degrade if locked away and, once removed, will surely prove difficult to reinstate.

To sign the petition on line, go to

http://www.petitiononline.com/22210/petition.html

You can also contact the V&A directly here:
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL

main switchboard:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2000, 9.00-17.00, Monday to Friday

Collections: Furniture and Woodwork
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2682
E-mail: furniture@vam.ac.uk

To see the collection itself, go to

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/furniture/musical_instruments/index.html

[NorthernTenor]

Glad to see you arguing the case for the hermeneutic of continuity, SC. For once, I can urge all to follow your recommendation.