Binding Tape For Magic Lantern Slides

 For those of us that work with vintage media, we are often confronted with choices in repairing antique magic lantern slides.  Here are a few products that I have tried or have been suggested to me by others.  

1) Lineco Linen Hinging Tape

This is a cotton gummed ("moisten to stick") tape. I use it to repair tabs on slip slides as well as to bind broken slides. It coms in one inch wide rolls that need to be cut for your application.  It's quite strong and sticks well to glass. As it is "moisten to stick" you don't need to worry about adhesive leaking out when the slide is warm. 

2) Neschen Filmoplast P90 Mending Tape

This is an adhesive backed tape, but it takes preservation into consideration.  It is used by conservationists and was suggested to me by a few others. 

3) Copper Foil Tape

This is another adhesive backed tape, but it comes in a variety of widths,  holds up well over time, doesn’t “lift” or tear, and easily slides across the slide holder for panoramic slides. It’s also is thinner than some tapes so it allows for a very flush binding. This is popular for people making their own animated slides from scratch and is used by Melissa Ferrari for her custom hand made slides

4) Back Gaff Tape

Gaff comes in many sizes and colours and has a fabric backing.  As the adhesive is not overly strong, it's easy to work with.  As it is a staple with most theaters or traveling performers it's great for quick fixes in the field.  I always carry a roll to every performance. However, it is another adhesive backed tape, may leak under heat, is not archival quality, and it is rather thick.  

5) MT Solids Washi Paper Masking Tape

This was highly recommended by a couple of Lantern society members from Canada who did a lot of searching and trying out of tapes of appropriate quality. It does not have some of the negative properties of other tapes like glue oozing into the slide under heat. It is 1/2 inch wide so may still need some trimming (Original taping were closer to 1/4 inch.)

6) Brown Butcher's Tape

Some folks like using old-fashioned brown paper butcher's tape, cut to the appropriate width. It's gummed  ("moisten to stick") which automatically avoids the residue or oozing problems sometimes found with adhesive tapes. The surface can also be blackened with a marker if the colour is objectionable.  Although, not nearly as strong as the Lineco tape, it is still "moisten to stick" so no gummy adhesive residue left on your slides.  I have seen it used on older repairs of slides done by others. 

7) Original Old Stock Binding Tape

If you can find some, and if it is still in good condition, original binding tape is a great choice.  However, it often has lost functionality due to years of exposure to moisture and the elements.  

And, for a little fun...