I'm not a fan of 3M 'Scotch" brand adhesive tape.  I wrote an article
many years ago for the AMICA Bulletin addressing 3M Magic (?!?) tapes
versus archival tapes.  I thought this issue was long resolved.

The 3M product tape problems are manifold.  The adhesive is non-
reversible, which means, you can't easily remove it.  I am aware of
no solvent for 3M Magic tapes.  The adhesive is also not inert and it
does react with paper, some papers more than others.  The polymer tape
backing material is not dimensionally stable over time and it shrinks.
The shrinking exposes adhesive, now bonded to the paper, which can
stick to the opposing sheets of paper.

I was told by a well-known roll collector that he hangs his tape up
in strips to allow the shape to stabilize before affixing to the roll.
Well, I have a couple rolls repaired by this expert and the tape is
shrinking, making the rolls a tracking nightmare.

Let's now consider the archival acid-free tissue.  It is reversible.
It is pH neutral.  It is dimensionally stable.  It is significantly
thinner so as to reduce buildup.

Restorer Mark F. West, in Baltimore, introduced me to this acid-free
tissue in 1983 or '84.  I bought it from a museum supply house whose
definition of "archival" is in the hundreds of years.  This is
important because in the banking industry "archival" means 7-10 years!
Clearly, it is important to note by which definition "archival" is
intended.  I am indebted to Mr. West for bringing this fine product to
my attention.

I must also add that I am pleased to see Larry Norman taking up the
torch for archival acid-free tape.  What is a common roll today, may be
a rare roll tomorrow.  Let us not perpetuate the use of inferior grade
materials.

Mark Reinhart
Charles Town, West Virginia