Wartime Recordings of Voskovec and Werich Preservation Procedures, INA-Saphir Scanning System and Damaged World War II Lacquer Discs

Abstract

In the Czech Republic, the Sound Laboratory of the National Museum has recently expanded its preservation workflows for damaged historical sound recordings through the use of optical scanning technologies. Since 2023, the INA-Saphir system has been employed to digitise lacquer discs that cannot be safely played using conventional mechanical methods. This approach enables the recovery of audio content from severely degraded media, including cracked, delaminated and fragmented discs; and supports the long-term preservation of vulnerable broadcast recordings from the World War II period.

This article presents a case study of wartime radio recordings by Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich, produced during their exile in the United States for overseas broadcasting to occupied Czechoslovakia. Originally recorded on lacquer discs under wartime conditions, many of these carriers exhibit typical forms of material degradation that significantly limit their playability and accessibility today. Focusing on practical preservation experience, the article outlines the key stages of the optical digitisation process, from initial material assessment to signal reconstruction and the successful audio recovery. Rather than providing a purely technical description, it highlights selected approaches derived from hands-on work with the Voskovec and Werich recordings, with an emphasis on handling fragile discs, informed decision-making and the role of material analysis in planning preservation strategies.