Basic encapsulation question

[Snapolit1]

How much does putting a card in a case prevent it from further deteriorating over time? We've all seen graded cards like Exhibits with browning on the edges or other stains. Was that browning/stains there when the card was encapsulated 10 + year ago? Can that condition get worse over time?

Realize I'm not being entirely clear here. Just wondering if there are issues with cards that will get worse over time regardless of which company put it in a holder. Are there people selling cards because they know the card is deteriorating in its holder for some reason?

(Not talking about new water damage, etc., but some problem with the card just getting worse.)

[Leon]

I have had cards that were encapsulated for more than 10 yrs and have never noticed any issues with increased degradation of any type. That being said if the encased cards are left in sunlight or other extreme conditions, I would suspect damage would/could occur.

[sterlingfox]

As long as the slab is airtight, I can't imagine that any further oxidation or other type of age based deterioration would occur.

As I understand it, only BVG slabs provide any protection against UV rays, so I wouldn't store them in any direct sunlight.

As for humidity, I'm not sure. Some people have claimed that a PSA label can wrinkle if the slab is stored in humid conditions. Does the same hold true for the card? I thought all slabs were supposed to be airtight?

I also own at least one SGC slab whose label has become yellowish/brownish in color (stained, if you will). Still legible, but noticeably darker in color than my other SGC labels. My gut tells me it's due to something like cigarette smoke emanating from the card, but who knows? The card itself looks fine to me.

[steve B]

It will depend on the card and how it's stored.

Stuff like T206s are on cardstock that's probably pretty close to acid free. The same for most other T cards and caramel cards around 1910 ish.
Unless they're stored very poorly they should be fine for a long time.

Stuff like strip cards are on poor quality cardstock with a lot of wood fibers. That stuff eventually breaks down and releases acidic vapors that will accelerate that breakdown. Again, it varies with different storage.

SGC cases are not airtight, which is ok because those gasses can get out of the slab. I'd have to do some experiments to see about how quickly the air inside vents and new air comes in, but from what I've seen of all slabs it probably cycles through quickly enough to be fine.

UV protection depends on what plastic the slabs are. Polycarbonate -Lexan has some UV blocking properties. I don't recall seeing any technical specs on the slabs themselves, but polycarbonate would be a pretty good choice for durability and clarity.

Steve B

[Snapolit1]

I guess what got me to ask the question was seeing some Exhibits that are graded 4s that have wicked staining on the front that I can't believe would get anything close to that today. Was curious as to whether the staining was somehow a mold type thing that was slowly spreading.

[glchen]

I had a card in the past, which looked like it had some kind of mold/mildew on it, and I've attached it here. I could see that mold or moisture being trapped within the holder could cause additional deterioration in the card since the water/moisture isn't able to evaporate as it would if the card were not holdered. For example, I remember reading in one of the soaking threads that you should not soak "X" type card because there were some instance where the card practically exploded after it was broken out of the holder.

For general staining issues, I think a lot of that is the card being misgraded or different "eras" or "graders of death (or the opposite) where some cards seem as if they definitely don't deserve the grade they got. I think that's the more likely answer to that instead of the stain got worse over time.

In general, I get all of the cards in my personal collection graded and holdered because I think encapsulation protects the card in most cases. For example, if you accidentally dropped the card or it fell out of a bookshelf and other books fell on top of it. In my case, I have three young children, so if they ever got a hand on some of my cards, there is definitely more peace of mind if they are holding one of my cards that is in a holder rather than just the raw card.

[ngnichols]

A BGS/BVG card has an internal sleeve that the card is put into before it even goes into it's outer holder. This removes any air/moisture exposure that would cause any additional deterioration of a card so long as it goes in dry and without mold already on it.

Their outer holder also has a UV protective coating that will prevent fading of both cards and autographs. That being said, it's still not a good idea to store your cards in direct sunlight for extended periods of time and/or fluorescent lighting.

[drcy]

A good number of years ago I was told by someone at Becket that their big holders don't block UV light. But that was then.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by drcy

A good number of years ago I was told by someone at Becket that their big holders don't block UV light. But that was then.

UV glass for a photo is a little costly, no? Would a plastic sleeve possibly have same effect?

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Leon

I have had cards that were encapsulated for more than 10 yrs and have never noticed any issues with increased degradation of any type. That being said if the encased cards are left in sunlight or other extreme conditions, I would suspect damage would/could occur.

+1 there. I've had them encapsulated for more than 20 years and seen no deterioration whatsoever. As usual, Leon is also right on re not leaving them in sunlight.

Best regards,

Larry