Re: [ARSCLIST] Sad news about Dick Sudhalter and Decca archive

["Steven C. Barr" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clark Johnsen" <clarkjohnsen@xxxxxxxxx>
> On Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 3:05 PM, Michael Biel <mbiel@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > .  And there is now confirmation that the Universal vault fire consumed 
> > the
> > entire Decca masters from the 30s thru the 50s.  Metal, tape, test
> > pressings, and paper.
> Which leads one to wonder, just how safe are any of the masters? And for
> that matter, where *do* they reside?
> "Proliferation is preservation."
Oddly enough, although Victor preserved most of their "metal parts" as well
as their ledgers...the last I knew they had completely lost track of WHICH
"metal parts" were stored WHERE!

The secret of "preservation" (and I will admit to failing this 
BADLY...?!)...is
not only to have preserved the <whatever originals are being discussed>...
BUT...to have a system whereby each preserved item can be easily
(1) located, and (2) accessed!

Even if you successfully managed to save the <wotever>...that means
SFA if you no longer recall where you PUT the sombitch...?!

Steven C. Barr