Original staples? (Press kit papers)

[Wildshadow]

I've been curious ever since I got an extra press kit of Escspe From Catrina, about making copies of the papers inside to sell it with the extra folder. Even though it's tempting to just keep them both... Anyway, would removing the staples, to make copies of the papers, be a bad idea?

Wasn't sure if it would ruin them or devalue them if I did it. Opinions?

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[Al-1701]

I view finds like this more valuable for their information they hold than the actual ink, paper, and in this case staples.  And information should be shared.

There are probably some who would raise a stink if you removed the staples and copy them, but I personally would be more interested in what information they contain.

[lunar_scythe]

If you do, I would say there's two things I would suggest.  One, if you are careful and patient, you could probably bend the staples, make the copies(or scans) and put the same staples back through the same holes.

My other suggestion is to scan them, and add the word 'copy' to the top or bottom edge, maybe in greyscale or something, just so there isn't any confusion about them being original.  I doubt any of us would try to pass the copies off as originals, but you never know what can happen to things 10+ years from now.

[FiddlePhan]

One note.  Staples can rust over time.   At work we've been doing archiving and found a number of items where staples have rusted over the past 20 years and left rust stains on the documents.

[ringwraith10]

One note.  Staples can rust over time.   At work we've been doing archiving and found a number of items where staples have rusted over the past 20 years and left rust stains on the documents.

This is true. My biggest concern with removing the staples would be that it would be hard to remove them gently enough not to damage the paper.

I really wish you lived even relatively close to me! I work in a library and copy very valuable and fragile documents for a living (at least, that's part of what I do). I'd love to help you make copies on my super fancy equipment. But the next best thing I would suggest is that you head over to your nearest university library and ask for a meeting with their special collections people. Explain the situation and ask if they can help you scan and/or copy the documents.

[Mermaid]

Id say it'd be fine too as long as the copies are marked copies. I'm interested in know what it contains as well! Are you the one with the original TV pitch bible too right? Where it explains all the ponies personality traits and such? Ugh to read through that! It'd be so awesome!

[hathorcat]

The most important versions are the originals you have So personally I would leave them as are and work around the staples when copying them for selling on.

[ghouldilocks]

One note.  Staples can rust over time.   At work we've been doing archiving and found a number of items where staples have rusted over the past 20 years and left rust stains on the documents.

This is true. My biggest concern with removing the staples would be that it would be hard to remove them gently enough not to damage the paper.

Spoiler

I really wish you lived even relatively close to me! I work in a library and copy very valuable and fragile documents for a living (at least, that's part of what I do). I'd love to help you make copies on my super fancy equipment. But the next best thing I would suggest is that you head over to your nearest university library and ask for a meeting with their special collections people. Explain the situation and ask if they can help you scan and/or copy the documents.

I work at a federal records center and sometimes have to remove staples in order to image documents.  The archive uses micro spatulas for this - you use the pointed end to carefully lift the two separate ends of the staple, then you slide the wider end under the "body" of the staple and carefully lift the staple out. Just don't re-staple them! As FiddlePhan said, staples (and metal paperclips!) can rust and damage the paper over time.

[Baby Sugarberry]

Removing staples and paper clips (all metal really) is standard procedure for archiving paper documents - don't feel bad about taking the staples out, it'll ensure your documents survive in better condition. 

[Wildshadow]

Id say it'd be fine too as long as the copies are marked copies. I'm interested in know what it contains as well! Are you the one with the original TV pitch bible too right? Where it explains all the ponies personality traits and such? Ugh to read through that! It'd be so awesome!

Yes I also have the writers guide =D if you lived closer I'd let you look thru it


Thanks  everyone for your input! I'll see how removing one staple goes. Also it didn't occur to me yet about marking them as copies, so thanks for reminding me! =D

[Al-1701]

Are you attending the Fair and bringing this material with you?

[Wildshadow]

Are you attending the Fair and bringing this material with you?

There's a possibility!

[Al-1701]

Because I'm going to be at the Fair as well and would love to see these things in person.

[Loa]

Maybe photography of the pages would work better, so you can have the individual pages stored more easily?