The System

[Shivabali]

Streamline that collection of yours

 

I've been watching this new TV show called Collection Intervention. Basically this professional collectibles expert from Christie's (Elyse Luray) goes around and tries helping people whose collections have taken over their lives and are a detriment to their marriage/friendships etc. Interesting show, though most stories are the same. Anyway, I decided to get up on my soapbox and write what I do when I get a comic. My "system" (anal as it is) keeps my collection tidy, organized and my wife happy Also, if you want to insure your collection, the insurance company will need a digitized list of your comics and their value.

 

Tools/Materials used:

 

Computer w/ Excel and Photoshop (any version should suffice)

Scanner

CGC membership (of course!)

Mylar sleeves (optional)

CGC boxes

Gorilla shelving or similar

 

I first want to clarify that this workflow only relates to slabbed books.

 

Once I purchase a book, I enter it into my comicbook spreadsheet, and tint the title box a bright color to tell me "it's not in my possession yet". An example of my spreadsheet is below...as long as the image shows...won't know until I upload this entry. All the information about the comic that I am interested in is on the spreadsheet. I use Overstreet as a guide to value, just for a benchmark, and also include what I paid. I've been thinking about adding a GPA average too (since that is mainly what I use to buy comics) but haven't gotten around to it.

 

Once I get the book in my happy hands, I "check it in" to the spreadsheet by blanking out the color tint. Then I enter it into the CGC registry.

 

If it is worth more than $50 bucks or so, (or I really like the cover) I'll put it in a mylar sleeve. I love the mylar sleeves because they really show off the book, add better protection than the polybags (both physical and environmental) and I can scan right through them, which you don't want to do with a poly bag. But mylar sleeves aren't cheap...about .80 ea. shipped is the cheapest I've found for the 2ml thick. There are thinner bags that are cheaper, but if it's not in the budget, no big deal.

 

After bagging them, I scan using a Xerox scanner w/ fluorescent bulb. (Thanks to the friendly CGC members, I learned that most modern scanners use LED bulbs and can't focus on a slabbed book.) I've set the scanner to create a PDF at 100dpi and import into Photoshop. (PDFs are really small, and since I save all the scans, I want the file size to be as small as possible.) In Photoshop, I've created an action that crops/color corrects/adds some contrast/sharpens and resizes for appropriate uploading to the web. (If anyone wants to know the specific details of how to do this, just ask...thought it too much for what I'm doing here.) So with just one button the comic image is ready to upload onto CGC's site. I keep the "webified" file and the original PDF in case I need a hi-res someday...also, when I upgrade a particular book (which is a compulsive habit of mine) I already have a .jpg that I can upload on eBay when ready to sell.

 

Then I put the comic in its appropriate box safe and sound. I store my boxes in the closet of our spare bedroom (always store in a controlled environment). I have "gorilla" racks that the cgc boxes fit perfectly into. Someday I'll run out of closet space, in which case I'll set up some more racks in the spare bedroom itself. I've already cleared this with the better half

Each box is labelled appropriately so I can easily find where to put new slabs.

 

So that's it. phew.

 

I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it really doesn't take much time once everything is in place.

 

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

 

See more journals by Shivabali

[Ronnylama]

As for the 2 mil bags...instead of ordering from CM (with the unreasonable $12.00 shipping cost) you can go to your local dealer and they will order them for you. I saved big $$. I will have to look into the Gorilla racks to make it easier and not have to move the heavy boxes anymore than I have to.

I have gotten books back from other sellers with mylar protection that have "thin lining adhesive" on the back. Are these 2 mil? I like them for I want NO air to get inside to later damage a book in time. Thoughts?

[Ronnylama]

I will be posting some sort of efficient way, as you have, to document my books with yearly stats etc... for the MAC. The one you shared with me does not work. Are there any "BUY NOW" apps appropriate for comics (for the MAC)? I would certainly be interested...my binder is heavy and a bit "old school"

[surfer99]

I've been watching that show too, very entertaining I think to see some of the collections people have put together. Also gratifying to know I have my collection under control and organized according to the feedback I see being given to others.

 

 

[Shivabali]

Ronnylama...thanks for the tip on LCS 2mils- I'll have to price some out. I've bought the thinner "self-adhesive" sleeves, but they tend to split at the seams. They are very thin compared to the 2mil. A little too thin IMO. Don't know about the Mac options for "buy now" apps...but I know Excel and Photoshop have Mac versions. Got to digitize as you can sort, and keep really good tabs on what you own. Takes some time starting from scratch, but once you're caught up, it takes seconds to input any new additions.

 

Surfer99...glad you have an organized collection. Very important! Aren't some of those collectors on the show interesting. That Barbie mom made me smile. And what about that Robot collection...that dude was intense. "My 401k is my robot collection." Sweet. .

[etanick]

I think all the people on that show so far have been intense with incredible obsession. It is hard to pick my favorite but i like the guy with the Flinstone collection and would love to see that exhibit.

[surfer99]

Surfer99...glad you have an organized collection. Very important! Aren't some of those collectors on the show interesting. That Barbie mom made me smile. And what about that Robot collection...that dude was intense. "My 401k is my robot collection." Sweet. .

 

Yeah, can't believe the Barbie lady wouldn't sell her holiday Barbie collection...dude offered like $2000 or something crazy. The robot collection was huge...that episode was the only time I didn't see the host pressure the collector into selling. Instead she spent hours helping him catalog and price it. Wow. That one had the Battlestar Galactica collector too...dude owned a comic book store with plenty of room for his toy collection so ummm...why didn't he move it there sooner?

 

The only disappointing thing about that show is it seems fake sometimes...like the one guy who brought 2000 comics from the 90's (complete Quasar collection, Web of Spider-man and the like) to a comic book shop and the owner of the shop agreed to give him a signed VF/NM Hulk #181 ($1000 value) in trade. Right, like that would ever happen. Still, entertaining show.

 

 

[mree1129]

I am borderline OCD with keeping my books organized.

I use a program called comic collector. http://www.collectorz.com/?v=16342233 .

 

Ive had it for a few years and love it. Shows a picture of the front and back of comic, (options for wrap around covers also, very cool) - With whatever pic you choose in the background, it shows the Date released, date bought, where you bought it, artist, writer,editor, notes and story what you paid, what its worth(has an option to tell you what your collection is currently worth) . Way to many things to mention. I got the pro edition which was 50 bucks.

 

I buy a lot of Chaos! comics. If your not familiar, they have 27 variants for everything and some aren't in their data base. But, it is a breeze to add a pic and edit my comics. But if your a main stream kind of person. More then likely they will have your comic in their database ready to go at the press of a button. I used it to print out my collection for insurance which was easy also. I think you can try it free for 30 days. I cant recommend it enough for collectors.

 

I also use the 2mil bags on all my slabs, I got them on ebay and they tend to give a few extras every time. Then of course they are all in graded size boxes by series. Might be a bit much, But I know every book in my home right now and where it is.

[Ronnylama]

Thanks for the tip mree1129. I just purchased the Mac version premium with a usb scanner (this option seem quick and easy).

 

[Mr. Fixit]

oh man i feel like i sent my supernatural thrillers to boot camp after reading that . well at least they are safe and secure. oh and how about that best set ribbon for the thrillers huh. by the way you know where a guy can pick up a supernatural thrillers #1 in 9.8 lmao