The author outlines a method of monitoring the condition of a collection which has been in use at the Intermuseum Laboratory, Oberlin, Ohio, for the past twenty years. Examining equipment includes strong, cool spot lamp, hand lens, a 35 mm camera and a few common tools. The inspection card contains 1. Identifying description, accession number and measurements; 2. Description of the condition of the object; 3. Series of dated observations of changes in condition; 4. Conclusions and recommendations. The latter are indicated by cilored tabs called signals : normal handling, minor treatment, major treatment, restricted handling, minor adjustment, laboratory examination, urgency or priority treatment.