Thank you all so much for easing my mind. I wasn't sure which type of film the vinegar scent indicated and am very happy to learn that although the reel is deteriorating and acetic acid is still damaging to collections in the same storage area, at least I'm not dealing with something extremely hazardous. Another helpful tip was that cellulose nitrate film was rarely produced in sizes less than 35 mm. This particular reel is approx. 10 mm wide. I do hope to have it reformatted right away to see if there's anything salvageable. The film probably contains footage of then endangered-now extinct species shot in the late '20s or early '30s. I'm so glad there's a resource like this for some quick advice from colleagues. Sometimes I feel a little isolated out here on the Cape, so the discussions online are most appreciated. Thanks again, Bethany Rutledge ========================================================= 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).