The main question for your friend is if he can keep the containers dry. 
Cold is good, damp is not. Some sort of desiccant in those boxes would
be useful (if they're sealed)

allan goodrich

retireeJFK Library

On 10/27/2020 1:18 PM, Mickey Clark wrote:
> Jon, If the boxes are totally sealed, that is good.The tapes need to
> be separated from the tapes as shellac doesn't do well in the presence
> of acid , from the vinegar emitted from the tapes.. However, 78 rpm
> records, particularly Victor from the mid twenties to the early
> thirties and certain war-time Decca records are particularly
> susceptible to moisture damage. If records get cold, it can cause
> condensation of water on the surface if not properly sealed. The
> sleeves, unless they are acid free can cause a problem when the acid
> in them is activated by the moisture from condensation. The result of
> these effects is microscopic pits in the surface, and in rare cases,
> flaking of the record surface. The flaking is more particular to the
> Deccas-most likely because they would be pressed from re-cycled
> shellac. Mickey Clark
>
>
> Mickey Clark
> 710 Westminster Avenue West
> Penticton BC
> Canada
> 250-462-7881
> V2A 1K8
> http://mcproductions.ca
> 1-250-462-7881
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Jon Samuels
> Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2020 1:21 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] storing shellac records, open reel tapes, etc. in
> very cold weather
>
> A friend of mine asked me a question I was unable to answer, so I thought
> I'd ask if anyone out there has any specific knowledge. He's storing
> shellac pressings, open reel tapes, CDRs and DATs in an unheated
> garage in
> the Northeast of the U. S. Temperatures in Winter can go below 0 degrees
> Fahrenheit, and are often in the single digits above 0. The materials are
> stored in heavy duty, sealed plastic boxes. Will any harm come to any of
> the materials by being stored in Winter in that environment? He
> currently has no other place to store this material. I'd like to give him
> some wise advice, if I can.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Best,
>
> Jon Samuels