Education on Comic Collecting: Organizing/Storing Your Collection

[sterlingcomics]

OK, so I think we have some of the major topics covered. Refer to the Education on Comic Collecting: Topics thread for more information. Again, this thread is dedicated at capturing the information and expertise of this community as it pertains to information perceived as important to most collectors.

 

This topic: Organizing/Storing Your Collection

 

This topic comes up on a regular basis, so this thread is dedicated in organizing what these boards have said previously on this topic as well as being a launching pad for continuing conversations that looks at it from different angles.

 

Possible Topics

• How do you sort your comics and/or original art?
  
• What kind of boxes do you use to store your collectibles? Which are best?
  
• Do you use any computer software to organize your collection? If so, what is the program/process you use?
  
• What information do you capture in regards to your collection?
  
• What's the optimum environment in which to store your collectibles?
  
• What type of bags/boards do you use to store your collectibles? Why?

I'll be adding existing threads as this topic has been exhaustively covered over the years...if anyone wants to help me out pick out their favorite threads on these topics please do so...and also to add to the list of topics as I'm sure it is not exhaustive.

[sterlingcomics]

Topic: Bags and Boards

 

Comic Bag/Board FAQ

CGC Bags Thread 1 CGC Bags Thread 2 CGC Bags Thread 3

Storing mylars with 3/4" tab?

Difference between bags/boards and mylars?

Why it is important to change out your bags/boards

Mylars/Bags n Boards

How long is too long?

Changing out bags/boards recommendations

How do you tell the difference between mylar and polybags?

Poly Bags

Buying bags and boards--Hotflips.com More recommendations

Bill Cole vs. Gerber

[innocuous]

I came across a new box this week. Perhaps worthy of discussion. (It is to me.)

 

I just started using flip top boxes because I like to place them on a bookshelf so everyone can see my collection. They fully enclose the book and, best of all, offer easy access. I can even use plastic dividers to easily look through a box when I open it. However, hard to decorate, so they don't look that great on the shelf.

 

Today, I found Volstor. It fully encloses the books in plastic, not cardboard. And, they can be decorated really easy. I saw a shop in the UK that had cool spine inserts for the bookshelf. However, to look at the contents, I have to take out all the books sideways, blah.

 

Here's a picture of what they look like:

http://www.megacitycomics.co.uk/acatalog/Volstor_Box_Files.html

 

Here's some cool spine decorations:

http://www.asylum-booksandgames.com/funstuff.php

 

 

I want a flip top box with the easy decorating capabilities of Volstor. Anyone check out this box before?

[chromium]

 

Here's a picture of what they look like:

http://www.megacitycomics.co.uk/acatalog/Volstor_Box_Files.html

 

Here's some cool spine decorations:

http://www.asylum-booksandgames.com/funstuff.php

 

 

I want a flip top box with the easy decorating capabilities of Volstor. Anyone check out this box before?

 

Boxes look very cool ...only drawback is that I shudder to think how much it would cost to store a 10.000+ book collection

 

here is my setup

 

 

 

[sterlingcomics]

looks good, do you have any specs for someone to build something like this?

[That Ron Dude]

Call me a cheapskate (go ahead, I am). I use the same system but I use cereal boxes instead of yer fancy store bought boxes.

 

I eat the cereal first.

[chromium]

looks good, do you have any specs for someone to build something like this?

 

I wish I did...the carpenter that made it took off with all the plans

[Anfield Fox]

I have a question for those of you who store their books in the standard comic boxes.

 

Lets just say you are using box "A" for your Avengers run. At the front of box A (side nearest to you) do you put the first issue at the front and the last issue at the back or do you do it the other way round (first issue at the back, latest/last issue at the front).

 

I had always done the second method but im thinking of doing it the other way round.

[Mr. Zipper]

 

 

Looks great.

 

My only concern with this setup would be dust could easily settle between the tops of the comics and it would be difficult to properly dust.

 

Long boxes don't look as nice, but all you have to do is wipe off the top.

[Norrin_Radd]

There have been a few discussions on storing comics that ended in a stalement.

 

 

Q: Is storing your comics in a wooden cabinet good or bad?

A: Some say fumes from the wood would be bad for comics and that metal cabinets are better. Others say that it wouldn't be a problem and that Edgar Church himself stored his comics in a cedar cabinet/closet/chest.

 

 

For this reason, my wooden comic cabinets remain unstained (much to my wife's chagrin).

 

 

Q: Is keeping your comics in an airtight environment good or bad?

A: Fantastic_Four, quoting document preservation specialists at Library of Congress, said that keeping comics in an airtight environment will cause the acids from the paper to destroy the comic. But again others state adecdotal evidence that some pedigree finds (Curator, Church) remained in such great condition with White pages because they were kept in a relatively airtight environment.

 

This argument reared it's head again recently when someone made the assertion that keeping comics in a (airtight) slab will eventually cause them to detiorate.

 

Again

 

Can we get a concensus?

[Ze-man]

Here is one of the completed FAQ surveys, it is a pretty good representantation of the type of information I recieved. Sterlings recent quest prodded me into action again.

Sterling I will foward the info to you once done.

 

 

 

BAGS and BOARDS

 

1. Poly Bags- (Any brand or size)

 

What are they, and what is wrong with them.

ANSWER- A Poly Bag is flat plastic bag used for storing comic books. The plastics used are climate sensitive... so in heated areas of wherever your from... tend to make the plastic shrink up. If the inks on some of the comics covers bleed... they will stick to the inside of the Poly Bag thus damaging the book.

 

Are Polybags worthy of anything? Cheap short term storage perhaps?

ANSWER- Store owners use them for general storage for their new comics for wall books.

 

2. Mylars-

 

What is a Mylar? Talk about the materials used.

ANSWER- According to the US Library of Congress, the most preferred material for preserving valuable documents is uncoated archival quality polyester film, such as Mylar® type D. or equivalent material Melinex® 516.

Mylar® is an exceptionally strong transparent film that is resistant to moisture, pollutants, oils, and acids. It contains no volatile chemicals which will migrate to the surface of the paper and cause damage. With a life expectancy of hundreds of years, Mylar® will outlast most other plastics.

 

Mylar® is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin films. Their brands of archival quality polyester films are Mylar® type D and Melinex® 516 of which they are exclusive manufacturers.

 

What are the seams/welds. Why does this matter?

ANSWER- Seams/Welds are the 3 sides of the Mylar itself that are heat sealed both sides and the bottom of the bag.

 

Why are Mylars the standard for bagging comics safely?

ANSWER- In addition, along with the brilliance and clarity of Mylar® which enhances the appearance of any paper collectible, it is an effective barrier against acidity which is the primary cause of paper deterioration.

 

Do I ever need to replace my Mylars?

ANSWER- No, but they do after a time scratch up.

 

Why do some have flaps, and some do not?

ANSWER- Flaps are for people who want to tape or tuck fold their comics into the Mylar

 

List the different types, names, brands of Mylars you know of.

ANSWER- The only ones I know of are...

E. Gerber's

Mylites

1 mil thick bags with flap

Mylites2

2 mil thick bags with flap

Archives

4 mil thick bags with 2 flaps

Archives 'L'

4 mil thick bags with 2 open sides

Mini Archives

Smaller sized, 4 mil thick bags with no flaps

 

BCE's

ARKLITES™ are made from 1 mil or 2 mil thick Lightweight and Mediumweight Mylar® D. Easily affordable, these sleeves offer hundreds of times the archival storage protection of non-archival polypropylene and polyethylene bags. Use Arklites™ for your more common comic books. Comes with a 1 1/2" flap that can easily be folded or taped closed.

 

GARDS™ Sleeves made from 4 mil thick Mylar® type D with rounded corner cut tabs, allowing for easy insertion and removal of paper ephemera.

 

COMIC-GARDS™ are made from 4-mil thick Mylar® D with a rounded corner cut tab allowing for easy insertion and removal of your valuable collectibles. Use Comic-Gards™ for long-term storage of your more valuable comic books.

 

TIME-LOKS® are our best R-KivalTM Sleeves. They are made from 4 mil-thick Mylar® D with a pre-folded flap to lock in protection. Our exclusive Ultraweld™ technology makes our seams the strongest in the industry. Use Time-Loks™ as permanent storage for your most treasured comic books.

 

How are Mylites different from 4 mil? Does it matter which one I use?

ANSWER- Mylites are only 1 and 2 mil thick as opposed to are regular Mylar bag which is 4 mil. It depends on the buyer and what he/she is trying to protect.

 

What brands, products do you use/like the best?

ANSWER- I like E. Gerber... you get the same quality and BCE but cheaper.

 

What brands or products do you not like?

ANSWER- I've used both companies and they are both great.

 

List seller names, websites, and where you buy from.

ANSWER- Bill Cole Enterprises

or E. Gerber

or Comic Supply (They use Gerber supplies)

 

Discuss any other related Mylar information not already listed.

ANSWER-

 

 

3. Backing Boards-

What is a backing board?

ANSWER- A thin layer of cardboard that is used as a stiffener for a comic inside a bag.

 

Why does the board have a shiny and a dull side?

ANSWER- I think one side is treated and the other is not.

 

Which side am I supposed to use? Does it matter?

ANSWER- Don't know really.

 

Does my board have to be acid free, or PH balanced, or bleached. What does all this mean?

ANSWER- Answer below

 

How/Why does this matter to my comic?

ANSWER- Answer below

 

Because ordinary cardboard is itself acidic, storage in cardboard boxes may be hazardous to your collection, and is a leading cause of premature deterioration of comic collections. For proper storage, only acid free boards that meet the US Government's MINIMUM requirements are acceptable. These requirements have been defined as boards having a 3% calcium carbonate buffer throughout and a minimum pH of 8.5. Anything less will hasten your collection's destruction. While many advertisers claim that their boards are "acid free at time of manufacture," they are in reality only spray coated with an alkaline substance making them acid free for only a very short time. Boards termed "acid free at time of manufacture" do not offer sufficient protection or storage for anything other than short term. True acid free boards have been impregnated with a calcium buffer resulting in an acid free, alkaline pH content of 8.5 throughout.

 

What are half backs, and full backs? How do they differ from regular boards?

ANSWER-

E. Gerber Products

Half-Backs

24 mil thick, Acid Free Boards

Full-Backs

42 mil thick, Acid Free Boards

 

When should they be used vs. regular boards?

ANSWER- On your more valuable books (in my opinion). Your determination on that question.

 

Do I need to replace my backing boards? If so, how often?

ANSWER- Good question... I don't know how long they are good for.

 

How do I properly size my comic to the board, should it be bigger then my comic?

ANSWER- The board should be at least 1/4th of an inch around the book but usually it should be bigger that the comic.

 

What brand of boards do you like /use? Where do you get them?

ANSWER- I use...

E. Gerber Products (from E. Gerber)

Half-Backs

24 mil thick, Acid Free Boards

Full-Backs

42 mil thick, Acid Free Boards

 

4. Bagging and boarding

What does the term “bag/board combo”mean?

ANSWER- Boards and bags sold in bulk (together for a cheaper price). Most Comic shops use a bag and board to store there inventory in.

 

How does one determine what size bag and board should be used for each era/size of comic? Is it as easy as matching the era the comic is from, to the right era bag/board? Or do you prefer to use a different sizing method with products currently available. If so, what era/sizes do you recommend to store your BEST books safely? List specific brand names if possible.

 

Golden Age - best bag board sizes to use

ANSWER- I don't own any but I would use...

E. Gerber's

Archives - 825R - 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 - Super Golden Age Comics

Full-Backs - 778FB - 7 7/8 x 10 1/2 - Super Golden Age Comics

 

Silver Age - best bag board sizes to use

ANSWER-

E. Gerber's

Archives - 775R - 7 3/4 x 10 1/2 - Silver/Golden Comics

Full-Backs - 750FB - 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 - Silver/Golden Comics

 

Bronze Age - best bag board sizes to use

ANSWER-

E. Gerber's

Mylites 2 - 725M2 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 - Standard Comics

Full-Backs - 700FB - 7 x 10 1/2 - Standard Comics

 

Modern Age – best bag board sizes to use.

ANSWER-

E. Gerber's

Mylites - 725M - 7 1/4 x 10 1/2 - Standard Comics

Half-Backs - 700HB - 7 x 10 1/2 - Standard Comics

 

Will my Giant size, Annuals and 100/80 page comics fit differently? What should I do differently when bagging these?

ANSWER- Yes your Giant-Size, Annuals and 100/80 page comics will fit differently. I go up a size higher (i.e. Standards will go up to Silver/Golden.

 

How do I bag and board my comics correctly?

What is the best way to insert a comic into a bag/board combo?

ANSWER- I find the best way is to put the comic onto the board 1st then slide them both into the bag.

 

And then remove it?

ANSWER- Take your thumb and forefinger open up the bag; grab the book and board at the same time and slide it out carefully.

 

5. Micro Chamber Paper

What is it? What is Off Gassing?

ANSWER- a layer of highly reactive copper bonded into a polymeric extender. It is a completely protective barrier existing on the surface of the sheet. It is effective on contaminants found in air such as sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides and ozone (Off Gassing) that are typically found in comic books and in storage enclosures. With this barrier, corrosive gases are chemically neutralized and rendered permanently inert to prevent the deterioration of paper.† It is so powerful that only two sheets inserted one third of the way in from the front and the back of the book is needed to protect it!

 

When should I use it? Where do I place it?

ANSWER- On your most valuable books (Your much older books); 2 pages per comic book, about a third of the way in from the front and back covers.

 

How often should I replace the micro paper?

ANSWER- 7 to 10 years... depends... CGC recommends every 7; BCE recommends 10 years.

 

6. Tape of no tape?

How do I seal a bag/board combo? Is tape OK to use?

ANSWER- You can use tape on the bags with flaps not on a regular Mylar. Archival Tape has been recommended (It's also more expensive than regular Scotch Tape... who also makes the Archival brand as well)

 

How else can I seal my books if I do not want to use tape?

ANSWER- Bags with flaps you can tuck back into the bag.

 

What happens if a piece of tape sticks to the cover of my comic, is it ruined, what should I do?

ANSWER- If you take your time and slowly peel it back off; there should be no residue left and should come right off.

 

Explain the method you use to seal your comics safely.

ANSWER-

I find the best way is to put the comic onto the board 1st; then slide them both into the bag. (Using Moderns as an example). Then I fold the flap down and use 2 pieces of tape to seal the bag. This helps prevent the side flaps flipping up when putting it into or taking it out of a comic book box. A cleaner/slicker look too.

[innocuous]

My only concern with this setup would be dust could easily settle between the tops of the comics and it would be difficult to properly dust.

 

Long boxes don't look as nice, but all you have to do is wipe off the top.

 

That's why for those type of shelves, I prefer the flip top box, same effect, but you get a cover. Volstor could also work, but as I stated, I'm not sure about the side-way access to my comics instead of the top.

[chromium]

 

Looks great.

 

My only concern with this setup would be dust could easily settle between the tops of the comics and it would be difficult to properly dust.

 

it's not really a problem...it's a 5 minute job every week with one of these...

 

Most people that see the setup on pics are more concerned about sunlight. But in the bottom picture you see that I actually pusch the comics to the back of the box and then push the box into the cabinet..so no direct sunlight ever hits the books...

 

The two top pics are my "show pictures" when I set everything up to look as nice as possible