Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC)
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ARSC Archival Cylinder Box

The Association for Recorded Sound Collections is pleased to announce the ARSC Archival Cylinder Box. Designed by Bill Klinger and developed by ARSC in collaboration with the Library of Congress, the ARSC Archival Cylinder Box is the highest-quality, safest, and densest housing available today for the long-term storage of historical cylinder recordings.

  • The ACB safely protects every type of standard (4-inch) cylinder in impact-resistant, flame-retardant, archivally appropriate housing.
  • The ACB secures each cylinder with a peg (as early Edison boxes did) to protect the recorded surface against abrasion.
  • The ACB prevents accidental scraping of the recorded surface during insertion and removal.
  • The ACB allows air to circulate, and off-gasses to ventilate, to keep the recorded surface healthy.
  • The ACB cushions wax cylinders against impacts and breakage during normal handling.
  • The ACB offers the densest storage solution of any archival cylinder housing available today (22/ft2).

The ARSC Archival Cylinder Box for Celluloid Cylinders securely protects its contents with a locking lid (image 1).
The ARSC Archival Cylinder Box for Wax Cylinders adds foam cushions to protect fragile wax against breakage.

Image: ARSC Cylinder Box Body and Top Image: ARSC Cylinder Box Foam Parts Image: ARSC Cylinder Box and Foam Parts

1. ARSC ACB Body and Top

2. ARSC ACB Foam Cushions

3. ARSC ACB Body, Top, Cushions

Photos courtesy of the Národní Muzeum (National Museum of Czech Republic). Click on images to enlarge.
The body and top are injection molded of Polycarbonate Lexan 940A-116, a stable, inert, and flame-retardant plastic resin rated UL-94 V0. The foam cushions are BF-1000 silicone foam, formulated for soft and lasting cushion and die cut to +/- .032-inch tolerances.

How to Order

ARSC will produce a limited number of ARSC Archival Cylinder Boxes to fulfill orders placed by July 1, 2023.
ARSC Members will receive a 5% discount. Not an ARSC Member? Join now.

ARSC Archival Cylinder Box for Celluloid Cylinders (w/o cushions) is priced at $14.95/unit plus shipping.
ARSC Archival Cylinder Box for Wax Cylinders (incl. cushions) is priced at $19.95/unit plus shipping.
No minimum order quantity required.
For large quantity discounts contact ARSC's Executive Director.

Place an order by completing the ARSC Archival Cylinder Box Pre-Order Form

Interested but not able to order now? Contact ARSC's Executive Director to register your interest and receive updates on future availability.

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