My grandfather asked me to post this question. He is a avid indian relic collector and has a basement full of all sorts of arrowheads, spearheads, and all sorts of other things made by indians, most of which he has dug up on his private land a few miles away. He has recently recieved an old buffalo hide from an old friend. It is about 2 1/2ft by 2 1/2ft, completely tanned out and finished with no hair on it. On one side is a perfect sketch(looks to be burnt in) of an indian from the buffalo bill show. It was givin to my grandfathers friends parents in the late 1800's(i think he said) by an indian from the buffalo bill show as a gift because they let this indian take shelter at their home while he was traveling. He has identified the indian who is in the sketching in several old pictures from the show. His question is what would be the best way to show it off but preserve it? He wants to put it on cardboard then put glass over top? Would this hurt the hide or sketching over time? Anyone whos done anything like this before please reply thanks
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contacting the Smithsonian. Try educate@si.edu , they might be able to put you in touch with a Conservator.