– Interesting thoughts! I’m pretty new to this, but I wonder if airtight sealing might sometimes cause its own issues?
– Like, couldn’t trapped moisture inside an airtight metal box actually speed up paper deterioration?
– I remember reading somewhere that papers stored long-term need a bit of controlled airflow, not just humidity control.
– Maybe metal boxes aren’t always the best if they’re completely sealed off… a small vent or specialized archival materials might be better?
– Just thinking out loud here—I’m super curious to hear from someone who’s opened something similar after a long time.
– Either way, hope your discovery turns out readable and exciting!

Great points! I’m pretty new to this too, but your comment about trapped moisture got me thinking. I once helped my grandpa open an old metal toolbox he’d sealed airtight years ago, and honestly, the papers inside weren’t in great shape. They felt kind of damp and brittle, even though the box seemed totally sealed. Your idea about controlled airflow makes a lot of sense—maybe airtight isn’t always the best way to go after all.

From what I’ve read, archivists usually recommend breathable archival sleeves or boxes made from acid-free materials. Those seem to let paper “breathe” a bit without letting moisture build up. A small vent or something similar might do the trick too, as long as it doesn’t let dust or bugs in. Anyway, I’m curious too—hopefully someone who’s opened something similar can share their experience. Good luck with the discovery, hope it’s something cool!