Vintage set collectors - best way to store ungraded sets

[Vintagevault13]

I know this topic has been discussed many times, but when I looked up past threads the focus was not specifically on sets. I am amazed at the vintage set collections that many of you own and I would love to hear how you store your sets that are ungraded. Admittedly I have a serious OCD streak so I am looking for ideas on how best to store all of the cards in a set in the same manner. I go back and forth between sleeves/toploaders and binders but I need to stay on one method as I am currently working on multiple sets and need to decide which supplies I need to buy.

Thanks for your ideas.

Ed

[ALR-bishop]

All my Topps sets,1948 to 1994, and Fleer sets 1923 to 1980 are in sheets in binders. The binder also includes any Update set for that year,and any insert or test issues from that year. For many years, that has meant a second binder.

Some issues, like Posters and Pin Ups, Action Stickers, because of their size, have to be stored in bigger artist type portfolio binders. After 1994 my Topps and Fleer set and Updates are mostly still in boxes, but I do have all the Topps Heritage sets and updates in binders.

All my binders are on shelves in my study and labeled by year for easy access. Storing some of the test and insert sets requires choosing different type sheets to match the off beat sizes

[kailes2872]

I have 57-85 (with 61 still to come) plus 78,79,80, 84 football and 75,78,78,81 basketball. I keep all baseball 80-85 plus all basketball and football in a cabinet in binders. All baseball 57-79 in a 24x28x58 safe (see below).

[bsuttonosu]

...do you store them upright or on their sides? I see Kevin has his laying flat on their sides in the safe. I store mine flat like that but upright is easier and more space efficient on most shelves. I have this constant worry about the pages (and cards) warping due to the weight with some of those big Topps sets. Any strategy to deal with that?

[Cardboard Junkie]

I store mine in penny sleeves and rigid toploaders in shoe boxes and super shoe boxes......more recent sets are raw and topps sets from 82 up are factory sealed. (the 82 is opened but still in the jc penny box).

[stlcardsfan]

I store my 59-80 sets in D ring binders with ultra pro 9 pocket pages. I lay them flat. My binders are a little different. I used to deal with a company that provided Rawlings salesmen the binders they would use and I got a bunch of them for free. They are a nice complement since they are of course baseball related.

[Jason Carota]

My '58 Hires no tab set is in a binder. I lay it flat, as well.

[Vintagevault13]

Thanks for the opinions so far. I am really enjoying reading the entries. I have added a poll at the top so please be sure to vote.

[darkhorse9]

I'm OCD with my ungraded sets. I keep them in binders with any inserts from the packs included. They're in 3" binders with an extra copy of a Hall Of Famer on the outside to identify the set.

[jasonc]

Vintage sets are in binders. I only have a few vintage sets through, just like flipping through the pages better than top loaders.

BTW, nice display darkhorse.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I keep my cards in top loaders in a box.

[NateMack]

I keep my cards in Card Saver 1s or 2s depending on the year. They are less bulky than the toploaders. Then I store them 1 or 2 row basis card collecting boxes depending on the card savers size and the set size. I like holding the cards in my hand when I look through them.

For the very expensive cards, they get a screw down case.

In the future I will make wooden boxes to hold each completed set that are customized for each year.

[BillP]

I prefer toploaders with a soft sleeve as well. The I can take them out and look the over or spread them out on a table as if it's an uncut sheet without damaging my cards.

1954 missing 4
1958 missing 74
1959 missing 27
1962 missing 400+
1963 complete
1964 missing 33
1966 complete
1967 complete

[brob28]

I have all of the above - binders, toploaders ('56) and penny sleeves ('61).
I prefer the binders as I find it more enjoyable to look at them that way. I will eventually move the '61 set to a binder.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I prefer top loaders because I like the ability to handle the individual cards. However, I can understand wanting the cards in a binder. Don't think you could go wrong either way.

[the 'stache]

I haven't yet begun set building, though I am going to. And those sets will be laid flat in Ultra Pro 3" D ring padded binders, and Ultra Pro Platinum sheets. The very best there is.

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I haven't yet begun set building, though I am going to. And those sets will be laid flat in Ultra Pro 3" D ring padded binders, and Ultra Pro Platinum sheets. The very best there is.

That's what I do...I am even anal about the color of the binder, everything must match...lol. I've done both...I just find I enjoy getting a binder and thumbing through. I also have the oversized binders that hold top loaders (6 a page) for the larger sets (54 & 55). Those are my favorites, best of both worlds.


I do actually have a few expensive graded cards I left entombed...and for those I buy reprints and put them in the binders as I HATE open spots! The reprint I bought for my 55 Clemente is rather scary...

[Vintageloz]

Hey john
Can you post a link as to where to buy the binders and pages that hold top loaders. Sounds like a good compromise

Thanks
Chris

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

What is the difference between regular pages and platinum pages?

Can you purchase pages that hold tobacco toploaders?

[Beatles Guy]

I use binders for my sets. Right now I store them upright, but I am thinking of building a bookcase with narrow shelves so that I can store them flat.