how long will vintage cards physically last?

[baker85]

Assuming it is encapsulated and stored properly, would a vintage card, such as a t206, physically deteriorate?

[bigtrain]

I have books (non-baseball of course) that are 200 to 250 years old. They were not particularly well cared for for the first 150 to 200 years of life and are actually in pretty good shape...and that is paper not cardboard. I would think that an encapsulated card would last far longer than any of us need to worry about...possibly thousands of years.

[PolarBear]

Depends on the acidity level of the paper. The more acidic, the quicker it breaks down.

Just a total guess on my part, but I'd say cards like T206 etc will last around 300 years before they become completely brittle and start to disintegrate.

I'd bet though, that before that happens, people in the hobby 150 years from now will determine some type of accepted preservation method to mitigate the circumstances.

Many vintage cards will probably endure for centuries encased in something or coated with something that will be acceptable to the hobbyists 200 years from now.

Or, some type of "recreation" technology will exist and anything "vintage" can easily be recreated anytime anyone wants, diluting the hobby to pointlessness.

Either way, it's not anything we'll need to worry about in our lifetime.

[Buythatcard]

Will the accepted preservation methods in a 150 years from now pass the grading standards? Would it receive a qualifier of Preserved?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Will the accepted preservation methods in a 150 years from now pass the grading standards? Would it receive a qualifier of Preserved?

I dont know but im sure Ted Williams will be the only HOFer from the 1950s available to sign autographs 300 years from now when he is thawed.....I am not sure how his autograph will look...too bad he is not in the t206 set though..

[DaveW]

Since there are no cards left of the Egyptian pharaohs, I'd say that a few thousand years is the max.

[steve B]

It really depends on the paper they're printed on.

T206s may be printed on a cardstock with a high rag content. In other words, it may be more flax, cotton and wool that wood pulp. Rag paper tends to be low in acid and very long lasting. Rag paper was common in the mid 1800's and before, and has been used pretty much constantly. (US currency has a high rag content. )
There's some stuff out there that's 500 years+ and the paper is still supple and not yellowed.

On the opposite end of things, Most of the strip card sets from the 1920's were printed on very cheap cardstock made entirely of wood pulp with nothing to even slow the acidity.
I don't expect that much will be left of them in another 100 years without some sort of intervening preservation - Deacidification is possible, but so far I don't know of anyone doing it to cards.

Oddly I'm of the opinion that encapsulation will make the problem worse. A card that's essentially loose can shed some acid to the atmosphere, an encapsulated card will be contained in an increasingly acidic environment.

Proper storage can help, as can totally insane storage. The proper stuff can be gotten close to in most home environments. I think serious archives try for 40F and 40% humidity. A modern air conditioned home is close enough for most things, maybe a bit too hot and a bit too dry, but not terrible.

The crazy stuff is things like serious climate controls and using inert or nearly inert gasses. In some cases that can extend the expected life well beyond what's normal. But that's expensive I only know of a handful of items stored that way. All of them are on public display in DC and should be very familiar to all of out US members. (I'm sure there are a few similar things in other countries.)

Steve B

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by baker85

Assuming it is encapsulated and stored properly, would a vintage card, such as a t206, physically deteriorate?

Here is a man that is thinking too hard. And thinking of the far and distant future. Such thoughts scare me.

[Edward]

longer than a twinkie......not as long a a cockroach

[bobbvc]

Originally Posted by baker85

Assuming it is encapsulated and stored properly, would a vintage card, such as a t206, physically deteriorate?

That is a great question, hope we can find some good information on the topic in the near future. Another question-Will it last longer encapsulated or stored carefully in Acid free paper? I think the plastic tombs are great in the short term for safe keeping but wonder about their long term effects.

[Exhibitman]

I have some engravings from an 1840 boxing publication. High rag content paper. Look great. I have them in Mylar.

[drcy]

Old documents used to be on parchment and vellum (animal skins). Don't know how they have lasted.

Interestingly, before canvas, paintings were usually on wood. The Mona Lisa is on wood.

Dust and dirt and exposure is a big cause of damage, so entombing them in a holder is likely decent protection for cards for long term. Though probably sealing them from air between acid free sheets is probably the best.

As mentioned really old paper can last better than a lot of modern paper, because rag paper doesn't deteriorate while wood pulp in modern paper does. However, many modern artworks, including prints, are on rag paper so should last well.

[Leon]

Good info thanks David.

Barring extraordinary demises, I think our cards are going to last a lot longer than any of us will.

Originally Posted by drcy

Old documents used to be on parchment and vellum (animal skins). Don't know how they have lasted.

Interestingly, before canvas, paintings were usually on wood. The Mona Lisa is on wood.

Dust and dirt and exposure is a big cause of damage, so entombing them in a holder is likely decent protection for cards for long term. Though probably sealing them from air between acid free sheets is probably the best.

As mentioned really old paper can last better than a lot of modern paper, because rag paper doesn't deteriorate while wood pulp in modern paper does. However, many modern artworks, including prints, are on rag paper so should last well.