I was riding in a taxi a few weeks ago with friend and newsletter reader Jaime, and he asked about the grand plan for Archival Magic. Perhaps a book?

I told him that I love this newsletter for its immediacy. And something I’ve reflected on throughout 2025, in various aspects of life, is how to make more visible those facets that are under-seen or under-appreciated.

We sometimes misunderstand archives as simple collections of objects, but in doing so, we look past a vital element.

Someone acquires.

Someone interprets.

Someone curates, categorizes, repairs, restores, and preserves.

So in 2026, I’ll interview and then introduce you to (at least) a dozen humans who make the archives possible for all of us who use those materials.

Until then, I’m wishing you a happy Public Domain Day. A new batch of historical IP — books, films, cartoons, music, art — will be available starting tomorrow for any type of project you can imagine.

Without the door let sorrow lie,
And if for cold it hap to die,
We'll bury it in a [New Year’s] pie,
And evermore be merry.

—
This newsletter was written on the traditional lands of the Peoria, Kickapoo, and Sac & Fox.