Bethany, You didn't say what guage your film was, if it isn't 35mm then its very unlikely its nitrate and what you have may be safety film with vinegar syndrome. Getting it copied is the solution. Since you are in Maine give David Weiss at Northeast Historic Films in Bucksport a call, he'll be able to help you There is a listserve where the experts on this type of material hang out that you should contact. AV Media Matters is a moderated discussion list about Audio Visual Media (i.e. Film, Audio Tape, Video Tape, DVD). From new trends in media types, to how to care for your older media, to specific problems you may be having, the AV Media Matters list is the place to discuss and learn about media. This list grew out of the Association of Moving Image Archivists' AMIA-L list. Most of the discussions have been related to archival issues involving AV Media. To subscribe to this list you may send a message directly to the address: [log in to unmask] NO subject or body is necessary - you will get an email back with subscription directions . --- W. Mark Ritchie_________________Heritage Resource Management Associates 228 Broken Oak Crescent__________Tel: 1-519-745-5586 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada_________Fax: 1-519-745-3585 N2N 1N7______________________E-Mail: [log in to unmask] --- Specialists in Sound and Moving Image Archives --- --- Now agents for the DanChek Film Deterioration Indicator System --- --- http://www.sentex.net/~ritchpat/hrma.html --- -----Original Message----- From: Bethany Rutledge <[log in to unmask]> Date: 6 December, 2000 12:34 PM Subject: cellulose nitrate film >Hi everybody, > >A component of my organization's collections is a couple of motion picture >reels produced prior to 1951, hence, on cellulose nitrate film. I opened >the canisters today to obtain some measurements so that I could look into >estimates to reproduce the film on a safer substance and destroy the reels. >As one of the canisters was opened, a distinct vinegary odor was released. >Is this the smell that everyone talks about as signaling deterioration? >Suddenly, something that was on my "to-do" list has become top priority. >Should I isolate these reels immediately? And if so, in what conditions? >I'm thinking about moving them to an outside shed at a little distance from >the facility. > >Any advice would be a help, > >With thanks from me and the rest of my collections, > >Bethany S. Rutledge >Director of Collections and Exhibits >Thornton W. Burgess Society >East Sandwich, MA > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).