card protection 101

elway65

I have two rather sophomoric questions to ask regarding card preservation. Only dumb in my mind since I’m a 38-year-old guy who’s been collecting cards since he was five years old. I got out of collecting for many years, but the bug is back (stronger than ever). So I kind of missed out on some things along the way.

1. When putting cards into soft sleeves, are there any tricks so that you don’t ding the corners? Someone once told me to place two dummy cards in the sleeve first, then gingerly place your vintage card between them. Does anyone subscribe to this theory? It makes sense to me, albeit a bit tedious.

2. I just bought a very nice 1968 topps baseball set (near mint) and have every card (yes, even the mantle, jackson and ryan) in album pages. Each individual card is in its own soft sleeve however. Personally, I really enjoy looking at my cards…which is why I have them in an album. Would anyone out there do what I’m doing? Or am I just asking for trouble?

Thanks so much!

AlanAllen

Welcome to the site Marc. The penny sleeve trick you mentioned works fine, but as you mentioned is time-consuming. Personally, I cut about 1/2" down one side of the sleeve and fold back the corner, then slide the card in.

There shouldn't be any problem storing sets in binders as long as you don't jostle them much and you store them horizontally. If you store them vertically like you would normally store a binder, the cards will tend to bow over time. Take care,
Joe

onegaucho

Another method I've heard of before was to cut the side of the penny sleeve to allow you to get the card in easier.

This would mainly be used for submitting cards though since if you were to put them back into the album, it might not slide as easy.

toppsgun

"I just bought a very nice 1968 topps baseball set (near mint) and have every card (yes, even the mantle, jackson and ryan) in album pages."

You might have the 1969 set since Jackson's rookie is in it. Check your 5th series cards (Mantle series) for white letter name and team name variations.

elway65

DOH! I wrote my inquiry before my morning coffee. Not a good move LOL! Yes, i meant the '69 set. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

1420sports

Marc, get one of these ...

cool binders

elway65

Thanks so much! I like these. Are they only for PSA-graded cards though? My set isn't...maybe someday. But I want to treat them like they are.

scottsusor

Personally, I stick my index finger in each new sleeve and run it from side to side. This relatively quick and simple action widens the "mouth" of the sleeve so that each card slips right in without the corners getting nicked or banged.

Scott