Something random from my collection.

[CPUWIZ]

Was digging around for something, found an original Pitfall label that was never applied (I have a Pac-Man one as well). Notice that the mottling has nothing to do with the plastic cart it was applied to.

 

 

[Zwackery]

Damn cheap glue. I wonder where it was sourced. Did someone decide to press the cheap button and save pennies per cart? The mysteries of video game history abound.

[fiddlepaddle]

The original formula for Activision glue calls for hot tub residue.

[+groundtrooper]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[+xucaen]

I'm curious, how do you have a Pitfall label?

[jaybird3rd]

Very interesting! Most of those Activision labels now look as if they were applied with wax and a hot iron, like photographs mounted on wood. I guess the culprit is indeed the cheap glue, although the super-thin paper is probably a contributing factor, too.

[CPUWIZ]

I'm curious, how do you have a Pitfall label?

 

How do I have one of these?

 

Same reason why anyone would have strange Atari items that nobody else has.

 

[CPUWIZ]

Hah, I didn't even remember that it was a Sears label. I can haz old.

 

 

[CaptainBreakout]

I have a theory that the mottling is brought on by touching the labels. The oil from human fingers breaks whatever surface tension there is on the surface of the paper sticker, and the glue slowly seeps through over time.

 

Ever been a spelunking tourist? In that case you've been subjected to the lecture from the cave guide about not touching the stalagmites. Same idea, kinda.

 

The glue's age probably makes it chemically separate into it's solvent/solute layers, like a jar of natural peanut butter, just real thin. And the top layer of the glue is probably a really thin mineral spirit that's super mean to ink and paper. Handling the label lets this mean stuff through, like pushing down on cardboard suspended over a wet surface, and wrecks havoc on the ink.

 

Anyway, that's my theory. Most of the Activision carts that I bought well preserved just a few years ago are starting to mottle. Bummer, because I've taken good care of them I think, but I have definitely handled them a fair bit since I play them.

 

So yeah, maybe this was discussed in a thread somewhere before? If not then... Maybe I'm on to something fresh? ?

 

Then again I remember hearing someone say that Activision labels were simply applied with battery acid.

[CPUWIZ]

I have a theory that the mottling is brought on by touching the labels. The oil from human fingers breaks whatever surface tension there is on the surface of the paper sticker, and the glue slowly seeps through over time.

 

Ever been a spelunking tourist? In that case you've been subjected to the lecture from the cave guide about not touching the stalagmites. Same idea, kinda.

 

The glue's age probably makes it chemically separate into it's solvent/solute layers, like a jar of natural peanut butter, just real thin. And the top layer of the glue is probably a really thin mineral spirit that's super mean to ink and paper. Handling the label lets this mean stuff through, like pushing down on cardboard suspended over a wet surface, and wrecks havoc on the ink.

 

Anyway, that's my theory. Most of the Activision carts that I bought well preserved just a few years ago are starting to mottle. Bummer, because I've taken good care of them I think, but I have definitely handled them a fair bit since I play them.

 

So yeah, maybe this was discussed in a thread somewhere before? If not then... Maybe I'm on to something fresh?

 

Then again I remember hearing someone say that Activision labels were simply applied with battery acid.

 

Yes it was, it was discovered that they come out of sealed boxes like this.

[CaptainBreakout]

Aww man. Well some of the labels on my games have gotten considerably worse since I've owned them. Has anyone figured out if handling em effects em or not?

[CPUWIZ]

Oily fingers will and have most likely sped up the process of the paper degradation.

[CaptainBreakout]

I noticed there's a guy on eBay selling repros of Activision labels in a three part set.

 

Part of me is tempted (the OCD part), but I'm actually proud of how these carts have made it through history so far. Yeah they are beat up, but that was part of the ride.

 

So far I feel Battle Scars Proudly Displayed has won out. Still damn that Activision glue.

[CPUWIZ]

Here is another interesting piece. In MOV format, just to annoy ZylonPain.

IMG_3213.MOV