Displaying vintage cards (T206 & Old Judge) and lighting? OK or not?

[Zone91]

I have displayed my T206 Walter Johnson on my fire place mantel in my living room is this bad for the cards image/color over the long run....the lights I use are 60 Watt light bulbs? FYI...The card is in a BVG holder.

I wanted to do the same with my Old Judge card but am nervous with cards so old...just do not want the image to get any worse with fading.

As a collector of history I have a sens of duty to protect these cards the best I can at the same time enjoying them to the fullest...a safety deposit box is the best but then you never get to see your cards.

[Bocabirdman]

Is it a functioning fire place? If so I would think that there are bigger concerns than a 60 watt bulb.:)

[Zone91]

Bocabirdman

No it is a gas fire place but I NEVER turn it on and it is away from direct sun light as well (my patio door is near by but direct light from the sun NEVER goes there)...only the light of the light bulbs on the ceiling come in contact with it.

And my temperature in the winter stays at 23 degrees Celsius and 22 in the summer.

[sportscardpete]

Just move into a cave. Problem solved.

[Zone91]

Just purchased this to display my cards:

5 Premium Challenge Coin Knife Watch Card Display Stand Acrylic Plastic Easel

Anyone else use these?

Link:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281042147890?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

[Zone91]

sportscardpete

With the Taliban in Afghanistan no thanks.....hahaha!!!:) Maybe Osama Bin Laden reduced prices for good size caves in that area before he was killed!!!

[AMBST95]

A 60 watt fluorescent light bulb does put off some UV rays and even indirect light will contain UV as well. I would be very hesitant to display my collection in this fashion. They do make UV filters for household windows that can block the rays from entering your home that is available in most big box hardware retailers in the states. You want to use low voltage incandescent bulbs and try to keep them in rooms that are pitch black when the lights are off. You may want to get a display case with a uv protectant to avoid this risk if keeping the cards in a naturally lit room.

http://safeathome.wikidot.com/start

As far as the stands, they can be helpful if you're into that sort of thing. Just make sure you trust those in your home because there is really nothing keeping the cards from getting swiped. Not sure if you have any kids, but the neighbor kid who comes over to play could end up being your worst enemy. A lot of people will display reprints so you can enjoy the card's visual appeal while keeping the real thing safe.

[oldcardboard]

I use several stands when I am building a player specific display. The stand in your link above will not work for graded cards, they will "tip over". They make a 2 piece stand that is best for graded examples. I buy all my supplies from mattsbaseball.com [800-675-1898], Just ask Matt for the 2 piece acrylic stands.

I have both 1 piece and the 2 piece stands pictured here. I will only use the 2 piece stands for graded going foward.


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w6/EMMITT_2007/2001.jpg

[cyseymour]

I wouldn't display the OJ. It shouldn't be exposed to natural light or it will cause fading. That's why there's so many faded OJ's.

[Butch7999]

Fluorescent light is by far the worst artificial light.
Be aware that those newfangled "energy-saver" spiral bulbs are fluorescent...

[Zone91]

cyseymour

That truly sucks!!! I guess those will go into the bank vault permanently.

[Matthew H]

Don't display OJs. Take 'em out when you want to look at them, then put them away.

[bn2cardz]

I use several stands when I am building a player specific display. The stand in your link above will not work for graded cards, they will "tip over". They make a 2 piece stand that is best for graded examples. I buy all my supplies from mattsbaseball.com [800-675-1898], Just ask Matt for the 2 piece acrylic stands.

I have both 1 piece and the 2 piece stands pictured here. I will only use the 2 piece stands for graded going foward.


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w6/EMMITT_2007/2001.jpg

Is this the stand you are referencing?
http://mattsbaseball.com/store/product/2780/BCW-2-PIECE-STAND-20CT/

[oldcardboard]

Andy, yes sir, those are the ones. They allow graded examples to sit without tipping over. Also, you can put 2 or 3 together and display exhibits and larger slabs.