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Post by karinec on Sept 28, 2023 16:19:58 GMT
My SO recently inherited a large box of photos from a relative. Thankfully, I'm not tasked with scrapping them, but I do want to get them stored away in an archival fashion.
It's been a long time since I had to think about this sort of thing. As I recall, the photo boxes sold at Michael's and such are not safe to store long term due to the acidity of papers & cardboard. I think the plastic sorting boxes aren't safe as well, but I could be wrong.
I see CM power sort boxes are still available. Are there other alternatives? It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to protect.
Thank you!
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,478 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Sept 28, 2023 16:35:37 GMT
If I could get CM power sort boxes second hand that what I would do. I believe the Container Store has archival photo storage boxes, but I believe they are not cheap. I'd probably do a sterilight (sp) photo box as they are easy to find and affordable.
But mine are still in those Michael's "shoe" boxes. 🤪
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Sept 28, 2023 17:07:40 GMT
I have the power sort boxes from CM that I bought 20 years ago. The elastic has given out on them but the boxes are fine so it doesn't bother me too much. Check eBay and Mercari, I sometimes see them come up.
Otherwise the Iris containers or the Michaels knockoff would work fine too. They're significantly cheaper than the power sort boxes and much more readily available.
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Post by Linda on Sept 28, 2023 17:09:31 GMT
I'm using the Iris photo boxes (16 to a case) for photo storage. And then storing in a cool, dark location. My very oldest photos (1880s-1920s) I did buy archivial clamshell boxes for though but the volume of photos I'm storing makes that an impractical solution for more recent photos.
I think the issue with plastic irc from when I was searching - is less that it is unsafe and more that we simply don't know for sure that is IS safe longterm
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Post by joblackford on Sept 29, 2023 1:27:11 GMT
You can buy specialty products if you search archival photo boxes, but depending in the volume of photos and sizes they can get pricey and I have very few photos I think are worth that level of card. One example I found: www.archivalmethods.com/category/boxesMaking sure they’re dry, protected from extremes of temperature, humidity, and bright light will be 90% of the preservation. Even if you get them into archival boxes you might want to store the boxes inside plastic bins if there’s any possibility of water damage from flooding in your area. Scanning and sharing them with other family members is also insurance against loss. |
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Post by karinec on Sept 29, 2023 3:31:43 GMT
Thanks, everyone.
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