Bethany, you need to seal the film canister and place it in a freezer to stabilize it. I'm trying to contact other collections sources about what to do next because they have had a similar problem in the past before having films transferred to tape. So placing the film in the freezer will at least stabilize the film for now. Lucille >From: Bethany Rutledge <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: cellulose nitrate film >Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 12:34:07 -0500 > >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). _____________________________________________________________________________________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ========================================================= 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).