Question about lighting in my comic book room

[Gary Strange]

Okay, I just installed a new light fixture for my comic book room ( track lighting) and it came with halogen 5o watt cu10 bulbs that have a UV filter 001 on them. I'll only have the lights on in the room when I'm in there--no more than an hour at a time.

 

Question is: Should I worry about these lights color fading my wall-displayed books? Should I use a lower output eco-friendly CFL bulb instead?

 

 

 

 

[marvelcollector]

Flourescent lights should not be used near comics.

[hbo_boxingfan]

I'd stay away from halogen and go with the smallest yellow led light strips you can find. Those are the kind Geppi's museum uses for their comics display. I wish I knew the exact brand/type though as I would buy them.

[hbo_boxingfan]

Also if your unsure there are UV electronic detectors that you can buy on-line for around $150. A little pricey but if your displaying a large amount or expensive books it's better to be safe.

[PokerKid]

All light damages comics, but hiding them in boxes limits their enjoyment. Find the least powerful, non-direct light that will work and switch out the books every so often.

 

Congrats on setting up a comic room - show some pics when you are all done.

 

 

[faster friends]

Just switch them out on a regular basis and you will never have a problem.

[oakman29]

Here's an idea! Scan your books that you want to display,and display the scans so your books wont get damaged.Just a thought.

[Moondog]

All light fades comics. Do not display them unless you're willing to accept color fading.

 

[Gary Strange]

I just don't see the point in keeping my nice books in dark room hidden in boxes--only able to view them with night-vision goggles. Although, I suspect there may be a collector or two out here who does this.

 

I bought some LED lights claiming to be safe for artwork, so we'll see.

 

[Mister_Comics]

Light kills comics.

 

End of story.

 

 

 

 

Now to work on my next thread... "Why do collectors feel they need to display their books."

[Moondog]

The Library of Congress and the National archives spend millions of dollars on preserving important documents. These documents are (for 99.99% of the items) stored in a cool, dark and dry environment. For those items that are available to view - Declaration of Independence, etc. - they are protected with elaborate and expensive systems designed to allow viewing and still preserve them.

 

Simply put, for any comic book worth any kind of money - it's foolish to display them in the light. Please note the word "foolish."

[fantastic_four]

I just don't see the point in keeping my nice books in dark room hidden in boxes--only able to view them with night-vision goggles.

 

In reality, you're not viewing your comics 24x7 so your concern is a bit melodramatic. They should be kept in the dark whenever you're not looking at them, and when you are, don't use fluorescent lighting, use incandescent lighting, i.e. the same standard low-wattage light bulbs everyone uses for most everything. The other problem with display is that I rarely see people completely block out natural sunlight. Sunlight is worse than even fluorescent lighting.

 

Comics themselves aren't great for display either since they don't show well from across a room; they're too small to read text or see most details of the artwork. Scans that are blown up and printed on glossy, poster-sized paper are not only safer for the comic, but they present FAR better...it's just a total win-win.

[Gary Strange]

I just don't see the point in keeping my nice books in dark room hidden in boxes--only able to view them with night-vision goggles.

 

In reality, you're not viewing your comics 24x7 so your concern is a bit melodramatic. They should be kept in the dark whenever you're not looking at them, and when you are, don't use fluorescent lighting, use incandescent lighting, i.e. the same standard low-wattage light bulbs everyone uses for most everything. The other problem with display is that I rarely see people completely block out natural sunlight. Sunlight is worse than even fluorescent lighting.

 

Comics themselves aren't great for display either since they don't show well from across a room; they're too small to read text or see most details of the artwork. Scans that are blown up and printed on glossy, poster-sized paper are not only safer for the comic, but they present FAR better...it's just a total win-win.

 

You could tell I was being sarcastic, right?

 

I was just interested in the best choice for artificial light, since I like having some of my books on the walls. In my opinion, posting copies and scans defeats the purpose of having nice books to show off in the first place.

[Gary Strange]

Light kills comics.

 

End of story.

 

 

 

 

Now to work on my next thread... "Why do collectors feel they need to display their books."

 

Mister Comics kills threads.

[Mark 1]

I debated displaying my nicer comics in my room and decided it wasn't worth it. Now I just keep up comics that I don't mind if they fade...these are readers or non $$$ comics.

 

If you have expensive comics...store them away from the light and take them out when you are into looking at them.