Set collectors - How do you store your ungraded sets

Bravesguy44

I also posted this on another forum because I am looking for some great feedback. I know this topic has been discussed many times, but when I looked up past threads the focus was not specifically on sets. I am amazed at the vintage set collections that many of you own and I would love to hear how you store your sets that are ungraded. Admittedly I have a serious OCD streak so I am looking for ideas on how best to store all of the cards in a set in the same manner. I go back and forth between sleeves/toploaders and binders but I need to stay on one method as I am currently working on multiple sets and need to decide which supplies I need to buy. I mainly collect 50s-70s Topps sets.

Thanks for your ideas.

Ed

PaulMaul

Top loaders/penny sleeves all the way for me.

mygotta

penny sleeves in long boxes. eventually making their way into set format.

Juggs

I went back and forth between albums, to top loaders, to semi-rigids, back to albums....it was driving me craycray. Then I saw the thread on using the Unikeep binders and I ran right out and bought those. I love them. I'm completely happy with how they store, how the look, etc.

I would recommend trying them.

76collector

I have a stand up shelf I got from Target. I imagine it might be used to hold shoes, right next to an entry door. It has 4 shelves. I put one set in a binder, with the top open so you can see the top sheet in the binder. Have them displayed like that in my man cave. I love it.

DanBessette

I use binders but my oldest set is 1974. For sets from the 50's you might wanna use sleeve and top loaders.

ChiefsFan1st

<< <i>I use binders but my oldest set is 1974. For sets from the 50's you might wanna use sleeve and top loaders. >>



+1
Except my oldest set is 81. Most of mine are in binders, but if I had it to do all over again, it would be penny sleeves
and toploaders. Upgradeing cards is a lot easier and you dont have to manhandle em. Guess it depends on how you
intend for your collection to display. Good Luck!

BostonAmericans

I was just a penny sleeve guy, but am switching over to penny sleeve and top loaders.

corncobb

I never liked the Penny sleeves and top loaders. I always found it was to easy to ding the corners trying to use the Penny sleeves.
I also don't like the way the card slips around in penny sleeves. I much prefer a single card saver II sleeve over the penny sleeve/top loader.

I also found that like the graded card slabs, its just to hard to enjoy a complete set when you have to handle 400-600 cards stacks at a time.

I always felt that a Card set has what i call a "Flow", and that flow can only be achived with binders.

The complete set can easily be accessed on your lap or desk top. I like to be able to see the progression of the set from the 1st card to the last.

The "Flow" on seeing the backs of the previous cards and the Fronts of the upcoming cards is really the only way I can fully enjoy the set.

The most common complaint about binders is that the pages can tend to sag, but thats never been a problem for me as I have found simple ways
to prevent that problem.

#1 Always store the binders upright.




#2 I use custom cut cardboard dividers placed through out the set.



#3 I make custom fitted binder sleeves for each set. They might not be pretty, but they work beautifully



Binders also offer the most space saving way for me to store complete sets.
I just go to the cabnet and pull out the volume I wish to view and return it to the library when Im done.

cardbender

Looks great Corncobb.

I store my raw sets in 660 or 800 ct. boxes packed tightly without any card protection.
When I want to look at my sets I take them out and look at them carefully on my kitchen table,
keeping all drinks far away from the cards. Takes up less space and I've done it this way for 35 years.

jeffcbay

I like to use the Unikeep Binders. They seem to stay nice and secure in there without any page-slippage. Sure you have to split up the 700+ card sets into halves, but it's still worth it. When I'm in the process of building a set I still place the card in the proper slot and leave empty spaces where I'm missing cards. Sure it costs a bit more to have empty pages in the album, but it saves me from shifting cards later.

CollectorAtWork

I've mentioned this before in a couple of other threads: Link, but I like storing my sets in penny sleeves, card saver 1's, and the CS1's in a BCW Super Vault Card Storage Box. The cards don't slip out of the holders if you accidentally put the top loader or binder upside down, and it's easy to view the cards without damaging them. It's also easy to determine which cards you need to upgrade, and then swap them out of the set easily.

DanBessette

I use binders but I don't store them vertically. The pages sag whenever I do.

lahmejoon

I think we all have some OCD when it comes to collecting.

I'm a fan of the Unikeep binders. I'm building my early 70's sets and storing them in the binders. They look awesome in the bookcase, if you use a design for the spine of the binder.

Edited to add: the nice thing about the Unikeep binders is that if you stand them up vertically, you don't get the typical sag from the weight of the pages. The binder keeps everything contained, since it's enclosed.

yankeeno7

<< <i>penny sleeves in long boxes. eventually making their way into set format. >>



This is exactly how I store mine as well.

My 75 mini set was in the smaller card savers though.

DanBessette

unikeep looks great, but the shipping charges are absurd.

2Clueless2

Morning,

Long term lurker, have not posted much but enjoy the topics and threads. Just started this thing with my ungraded sets and thought I would share. I found 6 of these "Sports Card Lockers" from the 70's and been restoring them and re-sorting my sets. I actually like it better to browse the sets by team as opposed to numerical order. Its a lot of fun going back thru these sets... and I like the look of the older locker. These were made available by redeeming wax pack wrappers and sending them into Topps. Most I have found are pretty torn up, but found a few that are really in great condition.

esquiresports

There aren't easy to locate and are pretty pricey (usually $50-100 in the after-market), but I look the look. Made by a company called MJ Roop, which went out of business about seven years ago. They are archival quality (overkill, yes) and have slip covers and laminated checklists. Most of these binders exceed the value of their contents. hah! You can get similar binders that are simply black - no Topps logos or other related perks, like the laminated checklists they include, for about $50-60 online at archivalmethods.com.

Placing this many sets on a shelf puts a lot of stress on the shelves. I reinforced all of mine in the front and back (those additional white beams that run top to bottom). It is also very important to secure the bookshelf to the wall here in earthquake prone California.

I also like the Unikeep binders and have a matching second bookshelf full of Ultra Pro black binders that looks pretty professional. Will add a photo later if I remember.

oddity

<< <i>

I always felt that a Card set has what i call a "Flow", and that flow can only be achived with binders.

The complete set can easily be accessed on your lap or desk top. I like to be able to see the progression of the set from the 1st card to the last.

The "Flow" on seeing the backs of the previous cards and the Fronts of the upcoming cards is really the only way I can fully enjoy the set. >>



I agree!

SOM

Looks beautiful, and professional, esquire!

DanBessette

<< <i>Can't seem to post photos, can someone help out? I uploaded three files, right size, I must be missing a step.... >>



You need to post the photos as links from another site. Most of us use photobucket. I hope you figure it out, because I'd love to see the pics!

@esquire, that is absolutely incredible! Well done! Question: did the roop binders have an enclosed bottom like the unikeep ones?

esquiresports

<< <i>

<< <i>Can't seem to post photos, can someone help out? I uploaded three files, right size, I must be missing a step.... >>



You need to post the photos as links from another site. Most of us use photobucket. I hope you figure it out, because I'd love to see the pics!

@esquire, that is absolutely incredible! Well done! Question: did the roop binders have an enclosed bottom like the unikeep ones? >>



Thanks. The Roop binders have a slip case that is apart from the binder itself. I do have one example of an all-in-one with enclosed bottom/slip case, but only for 1978. Because of the size (3" binders in the 1970s to present), the all-in-one is a little bulky.

SidePocket

I like the old fashioned way:

corncobb

<< <i>There aren't easy to locate and are pretty pricey (usually $50-100 in the after-market), but I look the look. Made by a company called MJ Roop, which went out of business about seven years ago. They are archival quality (overkill, yes) and have slip covers and laminated checklists. Most of these binders exceed the value of their contents. hah! You can get similar binders that are simply black - no Topps logos or other related perks, like the laminated checklists they include, for about $50-60 online at archivalmethods.com.

Placing this many sets on a shelf puts a lot of stress on the shelves. I reinforced all of mine in the front and back (those additional white beams that run top to bottom). It is also very important to secure the bookshelf to the wall here in earthquake prone California.

I also like the Unikeep binders and have a matching second bookshelf full of Ultra Pro black binders that looks pretty professional. Will add a photo later if I remember.

>>




Wow! That is an absolutely beautiful display. Exactly what I would like to have myself.

Ive seen mention of the "Unikeep Binders", I bought like a dozen of those and thought they were going to be the cats a**

Upon trying to use them I felt the Ultra Pro pages did not fit in the Unikeep binders. the pages were just a tad to big and I didn't like the
way they rubbed against the binder inside.

I also didn't like the fact that they were too small to hold a complete set.

esquiresports

I don't own any Unikeep binders but they look nice in the photos. Here is a photo of my other shelf. Not completely full. This is a much more economical way to store sets. About $7 per binder for Ultra Pro. Some people place a card for the set where I created basic labels.

I have also seen people do pretty cool things with binders that have clear side spines and/or fronts. You could pretty easily replicate the Roop layout on the side and/or have a really nice graphic on the front.

The Ultra Pro binders have some cushion to them while the clear binders would be hard-sided. Something to consider if you have a preference.

corncobb

<< <i>I don't own any Unikeep binders but they look nice in the photos. Here is a photo of my other shelf. Not completely full. This is a much more economical way to store sets. About $7 per binder for Ultra Pro. Some people place a card for the set where I created basic labels.

I have also seen people do pretty cool things with binders that have clear side spines and/or fronts. You could pretty easily replicate the Roop layout on the side and/or have a really nice graphic on the front.

The Ultra Pro binders have some cushion to them while the clear binders would be hard-sided. Something to consider if you have a preference.

>>




Again that is as nice a storage set-up as I have seen.

Are the cabinets custom made? they seem to fit the binders perfectly.

Is there any kind of doors or cover for the front of the cabinets? Security?

esquiresports

Thanks again. The shelves are from Ikea. I went there with the binder measurements and just walked around the store looking at options. Alternatively you could bring your binder.

The trickiest part was finding proper depth and shelf heights. For the Roop binders I did not install the back panel. Gave me an extra half inch of room or so. The shelves I purchased were the best fit/look/price combo, but only came in a natural wood color veneer. Had to prep and paint over that, which was a major pain. This model may have been discontinued. Ikea offers a bunch of shelves with glass front options, but I don't believe this one had the option.

raiderscott

<< <i>I don't own any Unikeep binders but they look nice in the photos. Here is a photo of my other shelf. Not completely full. This is a much more economical way to store sets. About $7 per binder for Ultra Pro. Some people place a card for the set where I created basic labels.

I have also seen people do pretty cool things with binders that have clear side spines and/or fronts. You could pretty easily replicate the Roop layout on the side and/or have a really nice graphic on the front.

The Ultra Pro binders have some cushion to them while the clear binders would be hard-sided. Something to consider if you have a preference.

>>




Great set-up! I like the look of your Ultra Pro binders. Went to their site, but I couldn't find the ones you have. Do you have a link or item #? Thanks......

PasadenaMudSlide

I use binders but I don't store them vertically. The pages sag whenever I do.

Agreed ...

gemint

I use CS IIs and put them in the wide two row boxes (forget what they're called). The lone exception is the 1971s which I put in penny sleeves and then put those in CS Is. This method served me well. A lot of the 8s and 9s in my collection were stored in this configuration for years before I submitted them.

esquiresports

Great set-up! I like the look of your Ultra Pro binders. Went to their site, but I couldn't find the ones you have. Do you have a link or item #? Thanks...... >>



Here you go. $7.15 each for Dave and Adam's. Free shipping if you spend $75 with them. Great deal.

Ultra Pro Binders