What's the best way to preserve a set from the mid-70's?

EchoCanyon · August 23, 2007 11:44PM

Plastic sheets? Card Savers? Leave in 800 ct box?

bifff257 · August 23, 2007 11:56PM

I have my raw 70's sets in penny sleeves and card savers II.

sagard · August 24, 2007 12:52AM

I used penny sleaves in a box on sets that I like. Otherwise I just leave them in a box and don't mess with them that often.

BobaFett72 · August 24, 2007 1:04AM

Laminate them

Estil · August 24, 2007 1:54AM

What's wrong with binder/pages? That's how I store all my sets.

rube26105 · August 24, 2007 2:18AM

Laminate them lol-i done that to stuff before just to see what it would do ,besides ruin it,tried on junk though,but it was fun

MooseDog · August 24, 2007 2:22AM

<< What's wrong with binder/pages? That's how I store all my sets. >>

Nothing is inherently "wrong" with binder/pages...but I can tell you from experience (having moved several times) that the cards in the pages, especially on the top row, don't stay put and the top edge and corners are subject to getting dinged. If you have them in a binder and you plan on staying where you are you're probably fine.

Some put the cards in penny sleeves, then in the binder pages - that seems to keep the cards more secure in the pages.

Allen · August 24, 2007 5:24AM

I have my 86-87 Fleer basketball set in penny sleevs and toploads. Not the best when you want to look at them, but I feel pages are not that good of protection. I saw Wal-Mart has a metal CD case that is like a brief case, but it has binder rings in it. It was $20, I guess it is similar to one of the Roop binders some use.

gemint · August 24, 2007 6:22AM

Depends on the condition. High grade 1971's, penny sleeves inside card saver I's. VG-EX sets, whatever way you like best.

Estil · August 25, 2007 6:27AM

<< 

<< What's wrong with binder/pages? That's how I store all my sets. >>

Nothing is inherently "wrong" with binder/pages...but I can tell you from experience (having moved several times) that the cards in the pages, especially on the top row, don't stay put and the top edge and corners are subject to getting dinged. If you have them in a binder and you plan on staying where you are you're probably fine. >>

I'd better be fine after what I paid for all those binder/pages; let me tell you, putting close to 65,000 cards (all sets) in binders/pages does NOT come cheap.

TNTonPMS · August 25, 2007 7:07AM

<< 

<< What's wrong with binder/pages? That's how I store all my sets. >>

Nothing is inherently "wrong" with binder/pages...but I can tell you from experience (having moved several times) that the cards in the pages, especially on the top row, don't stay put and the top edge and corners are subject to getting dinged. If you have them in a binder and you plan on staying where you are you're probably fine.

Some put the cards in penny sleeves, then in the binder pages - that seems to keep the cards more secure in the pages. >>

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Exactly , there is nothing wrong with storing them in there , just as long as you're not the type of person that likes to look at their cards often , the cards always move upward , not to mention the pages are made to bend and there is pressure against the plastic from one to the other .

I keep my cards in Binder sheets , but I pin them to the wall, constantly adding, at the top of the sheet, I run a strip of scotch tape just to close the cards off from the elements of inside my house , because I smoke .

Yes, my walls do not need painting , they are all sportscards .
depending on the room , I use colored Oaktag on the wall , then I pin the oaktag to the wall , on top of that I pin the corners of the binder sheets {Not through the card } to the oaktag .

I have about 25 shoe boxes and or plexiglass cases of cards that are just waiting to earn their way into those sheets , depending on my mood and my energy level , it happens from time to time .

Who needs wall paper , I got plenty !

Estil · August 25, 2007 11:43AM

<< 
Exactly , there is nothing wrong with storing them in there , just as long as you're not the type of person that likes to look at their cards often , the cards always move upward , not to mention the pages are made to bend and there is pressure against the plastic from one to the other.
>>

Now I'm even more confused. I thought the whole point of putting cards in binder/pages is for those who like to look at their cards regularly without having to worry about wearing them out through repeated bare handling. That's why I got all my sets (yes, even the cheap ones) in binders/pages so I can look through them whenever I want and as much as I want; isn't that the whole idea? Though I do keep any cards worth $15-$20 or more in mini-tites for extra protection though.

originalisbest · August 25, 2007 12:50PM

I dunno, but it seems the binder/pages system is getting a bad rap here. If you take reasonable care when looking through your album - and don't let someone else paw through them if they don't know how to - I see little chance of "ruining" cards and a LOT better chance of enjoying them. I personally use an album with slipcase (keeps out dust) and have foamcore endpages front and back to prevent the pages in between from laying in anything but a perfectly flat state. It's worked well for me.

leftofdial · August 25, 2007 1:39PM

I work at a pretty major museum and I would like to caution all of us about the damaging effects of UV rays (sunlight) on our cards. I want to enjoy my cards as much as anybody, but after listening to our currators try and educate us about the damaging possibilities, I'm afraid that I have to store mine in a dark and humidity controlled enviroment execpt for the time I look at them. Not a bunker or anything, but I'd like to htink that my storage methods are pretty safe yet still accesable. Sucks but it's reality.

originalisbest · August 25, 2007 1:45PM

That's common sense for anyone who's dealt with any paper products for any length of time. For proof, just lay something out where a little sun can get to it - and to emphasize the effect, lay something on it to partially block the sun (a piece of paper, etc.)

Nothing like the dreaded "sun shadow" touch to a comic!

GDM67 · August 25, 2007 3:40PM

Like I've written here before, I wouldn't want to use any sort of Card Saver, or anything similarly pliable, for long term storage. My preferred method to store singles in toploaders with penny sleeves.

TJMAC · August 26, 2007 1:39AM

I have stored my cards in ultra pro sheets and binders for years and have never had one problem. When it comes to storage, there are many options. I prefer sheets and binders.

It is just like those who stand their binders up vs. those who say to lay them down. I have had my binders standing snuggly fit on my shelves and have never had a problem.

To each their own.

mkg809 · August 26, 2007 4:57AM

Another vote for ultra pro and binders. I use these on the sets I like to look at frequently.

ajw · August 26, 2007 6:17AM

<< 

Who needs wall paper , I got plenty ! >>

Pictures?

Griffins · August 26, 2007 6:44AM

Ultra pro pages and slipcovered binders here. Humidity is low and steady in this part of the world, so no issues there, but the post above about the effects of UV light should be taken very seriously- it will devour your cards.

rube26105 · August 26, 2007 6:52AM

makes your autographs vanish too lol-learned that the hard way a long time ago

Thulnanth · August 26, 2007 12:27PM

Great read - thanks for posting guys!!

I am curious about the effects of UV light on paintings, if any of you might know. I have several that I would like to hang on a wall that doesn't get any direct sunlight, but the room does get indirect sunlight (don't want to keep blinds closed all the time - LOL). I know there is special "UV resistant" glass, but I've seen studies that it doesn't work too well.

Any thoughts?

Take it easy,
Jared

PS - not to entirely hijack this thread, I store my sets in albums/pages with slipcovers, stored upright on bookshelves in my basement (not too humid

).

Estil · August 26, 2007 12:43PM

As for not leaving stuff out in sunlight, that's true really for ANY kind of collectible.

PasadenaMudSlide · August 26, 2007 12:50PM

We have a signed Dali and a Chagall hanging in our home. Up until now, we've really given no thought to damage via sunlight.

Also have a large photo signed in blue Sharpie by all members of 1980 USA Olympic hockey team. I believe the glass is UV resistant.

Very interesting, guys.

Would like to hear more ideas.

Brian48 · August 26, 2007 10:20PM

I used to use the top loaders with penny sleeves, but got tired of switching them out every time they got stratched up. Also, I've had more than one turn yellow on me as it ages. Been using pages from BCW ever since and haven't had any problems.

Estil · August 26, 2007 10:27PM

Nice hockey sets (and thanks for showing the backs too); what years/brands?

shouldabeena10 · August 26, 2007 10:50PM

Does anyone have any long term storage info on the difference between cards that were stored in semi-rigid cardsaver 1's -vs- cards that were first inserted into a penny sleeve, and then put into the card saver 1's?

I've been doing a little bit of both, but I've heard that the long term pressure of card saver can sometimes press the corners down too much. It seems to me that adding the thickness of a pennysleeve into the deal would just add more pressure. I haven't seen any problems yet, but I love to hear from someone that has used card savers for an extended period of time.

I recently switched my raw card storage system over to D-ring binders, but I'm doing something a little different. I'm using the 4 pocket BCW postcard pages, so I can put the cards (in cardsavers 1's) into them. I like it a lot because I'm constantly upgrading cards and I don't have to worry as much about flipping through the binder pages. I can also store the binders upright, since the cardsavers don't allow the pages to sag and curl.

Since I collect mostly vintage football, it works out pretty good for me as all of the pre 1972 football sets fit nicely into a single 2" or 3" binder ... then all of the other 528 card sets of the 70's and 80's fit perfectly into two 3" binders.

Now I just need to find some decent slipcases for the BCW padded binders. Anyone have a source for that?

Mike

levy73 · August 26, 2007 11:13PM

Those of you how use binders. Are the cards also in penny sleeves? I have tried this before for a little bit of extra protection, but sometimes the sleeves do not fit real well into the sheets.

Thanks,
David

TJMAC · August 27, 2007 2:13AM

I don't use the penny sleeves when putting them in the pages. I have not had any problems and it would be a ton of effort to put 30+ sets in. Anyway most of my vintage sets 1959, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 vary in condition. The 1959 is in EX to NRMT, 1969, 1973-1976, 1978 are in EX-MT-NRMT. The 1977, 1979 and 1980 are NRMT to NRMT-MT. I have had no issues with damage. Besides, if a few cards did have problems, I could replace them cheap. Any big dollar cards are aleardy PSA graded or in screwdowns.

The bulk of my money is in PSA graded cards. I enjoy sets just to look through. While condition is important to me, I am not fanatical about it. Afterall, they are just cards. I just want them to present well in the pages with no creases, some border showing and fairly sharp corners. Obviously, the older the set the less fussy I will be.

Brian48 · August 27, 2007 4:29AM

I don't use penny sleeves. It's too difficult to insert them into the pages with the sleeves on. I don't want to inadvertantly damage the card this way.

Sets are Topps '68-69, '71-72, and '73-74. The '73-74 is especially nice considering that the boarders are so fragile and can seemingly chip if you breath on them too hard.

Estil · September 6, 2007 11:28AM

<< I don't use penny sleeves. It's too difficult to insert them into the pages with the sleeves on. I don't want to inadvertantly damage the card this way.

Sets are Topps '68-69, '71-72, and '73-74. The '73-74 is especially nice considering that the boarders are so fragile and can seemingly chip if you breath on them too hard. >>

Show us some of your other sets too.

mcolney · September 6, 2007 3:41PM

I use Ultra Pro sheets and store my sets in 1" or 1.5" in UniKeep Case binders. These run about $8.00 each and provide great protection from light, dust and compression. The binders also have a nice slip cover to put computer generated labels in that look almost as classy as the real expensive case binders. Find them at unikeep.com

I'll post pictures if anyone is interested. I've encased football sets from 1964 to 1988, baseball from 1970 - 1985, Hockey from 1969 - 1986, and Basketball from 1969 - 1982. Looking to fill in sets back to 1964.

killingdream · September 6, 2007 4:01PM

<< I personally use an album with slipcase (keeps out dust) and have foamcore endpages front and back to prevent the pages in between from laying in anything but a perfectly flat state. It's worked well for me. >>

Can anyone recommend a good place to find slipcases or foamcore endpages ? The only problem that I have ever had with the pages and binder system is the fact that the pages tend to jut out from the bottom when you pull the binder off the shelf or put it back on , thus the cards in the bottom right hand corner are at risk. I guess putting the binder in a slipcase would solve the problem.

mcolney · September 6, 2007 4:09PM

A case binder works just like a slip case. Check out unikeep.com

Estil · September 22, 2007 8:57PM

<< I use Ultra Pro sheets and store my sets in 1" or 1.5" in UniKeep Case binders. These run about $8.00 each and provide great protection from light, dust and compression. The binders also have a nice slip cover to put computer generated labels in that look almost as classy as the real expensive case binders. Find them at unikeep.com

I'll post pictures if anyone is interested. I've encased football sets from 1964 to 1988, baseball from 1970 - 1985, Hockey from 1969 - 1986, and Basketball from 1969 - 1982. Looking to fill in sets back to 1964. >>

Can you show me what the front AND back sides of Topps football looked like for your run (1964-88; a "sample" card of each year)? Now, I have no trouble finding out what the fronts look like (via Ebay search) but hardly anyone bothers scanning the back of the card.

And if you got time, by all means do the front/back of each year for b-ball and hockey as well. I think it'd be quite interesting!

viking7 · September 23, 2007 12:35AM

I like to store raw sets in the ultra pro pages with a binder. I have several prints and lithos that were framed using some type of museum glass that was supposed to protect against sunlight. Does this type of glass really protect against sunlight? I have a nice Dimaggio signed litho that I'm concerned about. At this point its fine but I will relocate it if I find out that the litho/signature could fade.

Goodsport40 · September 23, 2007 8:46AM

When I did sets in the 1980's and early 90's I kept 'em in sheets and binders. Now that I have rediscovered raw set building again I'm going to do the same again. For me, they have to be nearby and ready to view at any time.

Robert

BTW, Brian, great sets!

What's the best way to preserve a set from the mid-70's?

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