Re: [ARSCLIST] Acetate disc sleeves

[Eric Jacobs <ericj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you very much.  At $4.10 per sleeve in small quantities
for 10-inch discs, these Metal Edge sleeves are substantially
more (by 4x) than the next most expensive sleeve.  Even the
best possible pricing for this sleeve is $3.20 per sleeve in
large quantities.  Cost aside, they look like a good alternative.

We are looking at the sleeves from Conservation Resources,
which are 4 layers (paper/polyethylene/foil/polyethylene) and
about $0.87 per sleeve in small quantities.  These sleeves are
very close to what Pickett and Lemcoe suggest in their landmark
1959 work "Preservation and Storage of Sound Recordings".  The
sleeve lacks the window, but the foil and polyethylene provide
a vapor barrier and a smooth inorganic surface against the
record.  You can see them here:

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_6/section6_07.htm

These look like a great sleeve for shellacs or vinyl, but I'm
not sure about using these for acetates.

If breathability is important, then for 16-inch discs, these
sleeves/envelopes look very attractive from:

http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_6/section6_09.htm

Although they lack a window and are basically folder stock (lignin
free), the seams are on the outside and there is a flap to
further protect against dust.

For 10-inch discs, there are plain polyethylene sleeves from Bags
Unlimited.  These are 3-mil thick (good), but they don't seem to
offer much mechanical protection of the disk:

http://www.bagsunlimited.com/cart/browse.asp?subcat=41

The real question for me is the importance of air circulation in
the sleeve versus the need for a vapor barrier against moisture.
These two needs are diametrically opposed.  One of these is the
lesser of two evils, but I don't know which one (lack of air
circulation, or presence of moisture).

Others on this list have suggested that perhaps acetate discs
behave in a manner similar to nitrate film, and that air
circulation may be the priority.  However, I want to also hear
from those with long-term acetate/nitrocellulose discs in their
collection.

It would be interesting to know more about what went into the
thinking of the LC-designed sleeve.  Is the LC-designed sleeve
targetted at all discs, or does it particularly take acetates
into account?

Thanks for the fast response - the ARSC List has been very
quiet this Summer.

Eric Jacobs
The Audio Archive



-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Sam Brylawski
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 6:00 AM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Acetate disc sleeves


Hi Eric,

LC developed a nice disc sleeve several years ago. Metal Edge won the
contract to mfg it. The link to their catalog is:

http://www.metaledgeinc.com/Products.tpl?cart=11230736142091320&id1=25&id2=9
98&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=998&--SECTIONSword=ww&ran=5546

If that doesn't work, go to metaledgeinc.com and look under
"Phonograph Record and Film/Audio Reeel Storage: Archival Quality
Phonograph Record Storage Sleeve.

The sleeve is actually two, an acid-free board with center hole, and a
loose-fitting Mylar outer sleeve.

Sam

On 8/2/05, Eric Jacobs <ericj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> What are your preferred sleeves for storing acetate (nitrocellulose)
discs?
>
> Here's the debate (per "Preservation and Storage of Sound Recordings",
> Pickett and Lemcoe, 1959):
>
> 1.  The deterioration of nitrocellulose is accelerated by moisture
> 2.  The deterioration of nitrocellulose is accelerated by lack of air
> circulation
>
> Which is the lesser evil - moisture or air circulation?
>
> Assume that the storage environment is approximately 70F and 50% RH and
> stable, and that the records may potentially remain undisturbed for many
> decades:
>
> A.  Does the disc benefit from the additional protection of a vapor
barrier
> as part of the envelope?  Or does the vapor barrier prevent adequate air
> circulation?  For example, a polyethylene sleeve, or a multi-layer
> paper/poly/foil/poly sleeve.
>
> B.  Or are you better off with a 10-point folder paper type envelope which
> will breathe better than a sleeve with a vapor barrier?
>
> C.  What about paper type sleeves with center cut-outs for viewing the
> label?  They provide good air circulation, but provide no protection
against
> contaminants or moisture.
>
> Now that our collection has been properly cleaned and transferred (16-inch
> audiodiscs), we would like to store it as well as possible, including the
> selection of an optimal sleeve.
>
> Eric Jacobs
> The Audio Archive
>