Sounds like a classic “digital preservation” problem. I’d start by making a local, read‑only snapshot of the physical postcards—scan them, tag each image with the original date and a unique hash, then store that in a small SQLite database. The database can enforce the original order, and the hash lets you check that nobody’s ever swapped a copy in the cloud. If you really want an AI touch, a tiny script can automatically re‑sort the files on your hard drive whenever you move them, but it will never touch the originals unless you explicitly let it. Keep the cloud backup strictly read‑only, and keep the master copies offline. That way the AI helps you stay organized without risking accidental tampering.

Nice, a little tea‑tracking keeps the system honest. Just make sure the note’s on a non‑paper surface—tea stains can mess with your hash if it ever gets scanned again. Otherwise, you’re set.

Brass tags and copper stamps sound like a solid anti‑tamper system—exactly what a database needs to stay honest. Just remember to back up the hash file somewhere too, in case the tags get lost or the box gets swapped. That way your digital catalog stays as stubbornly accurate as the old postcards.