How do you store/display your sets
 

I am about 35 cards away from completing my 1954 Topps set and I was wondering how do you guys store and/or display your sets??

Thanks Tucker

I'm in a similar boat with my 55 Topps set so I'm very interested to see what the responses are.
I suspect I'll be keeping all the commons in Top Loaders and then figure out a way to display the bigger $ HOFers.
This question has been on my mind for a while!
Jonathan Schwartz

I like to see my cards out on display instead of locking them away in a safe or bank deposit box. You can buy excellent display cases on ebay for around $100. I've mounted my whole CJ set on my office walls.

Nice
 

Looks nice, brand??

These are the best for the $. Pennzoni

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Baseball-Car...DMwXiUqXnUvXkA

I bought a fire proof wall safe ($150.00) and am installing in my bedroom...

You hang a picture over it...

Pretty cool... Not displayed, but it keeps them at home with me and not at the bank in safe deposit!

Awesome CJ display!

Agreed. I don't get the point of buying beautiful vintage cards and then just throwing them in a safe or box and look at them once in a blue moon.

The only complete sets I currently have are modern ones and they are in binders. I do have some cards that are slabbed or in one-touch, and they are cool but I prefer cards that I can put into pages.

All of my vintage sets are in binders. They are mid-grade and present well in pages. Because they are mid-grade, Corners aren't an issue for me. I know there are other methods that provide more protection (I have gone back and forth many times between toploaders and binders), but I really enjoy looking at my cards. I view my cards as a collection not an investment so I don't worry too much about protection. They are going to my kids when I pass on so maybe they will enjoy them as much as I do. I do feel, however, that nice binders and pages do provide good protection if they are stored and handled properly.


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• UV Damage
• Fire
• Theft

I can think of a lot of reasons I would rather store my cards in my safe. To each their own though, it's all just a matter of personal preference.

I store everything in sheets in binders. When I was a set collector, my sets were sorted by TEAM within these binders, not numerical order.

Binders and cardboard hobby boxes for me.

Raw sets in penny holder / Card Saver 1 into BCW Super Vault Storage Box
Graded cards into BCW Super Vault Storage Box

Higher value graded cards into PSA boxes (that PSA uses when they send you back your submission). For standard size, I think each one can fit around 15 cards, so I have 4-5 boxes which I group by my first 15 favorites, then next 15, and so forth. Graded postcard and 5x7 card sizes also go into those PSA boxes which they use to return your submissions. Graded 7x9 and 8x12 just go into those boxes that Beckett uses to return your submissions.

Fitting name!

Very Nice collection! :)

I like easy access to my collection...



http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps73no04qd.jpg

Mark- I was hoping you would join in, that photo is outstanding! I am working in that direction.

wow! :)

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...pscaa8fef9.jpg

99% raw and in binders.

Looks great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-Graded-Ba...gAAOSwHnFVtpkV


I have six of these on the wall in black and they look great. PSA graded cards fit perfect in them. SGC cards will fit as well but I would measure them out first from side to side as the case is a little bigger then PSA and you might not be able to fit 9 across or perhaps part of the side cards would be blocked.

How do you store/display your sets
 

I have the mini version. 12 cards only. The snap mechanism for closing is annoying to work with. I wanted to get the bigger one, but was afraid to put that much $ on my wall haha. I rotate them out of my bolted down fireproof safe. Best of both worlds. On a day when I don't expect to leave house or have folks over I allow the big ones to go in (33 Ruth and gehrigs). But in general try to keep it under $1000 on wall at any given time. I am obviously a bit paranoid. So I even went the extra distance and mounted it to be earthquake proof. Even put an inflatable box filler in my safe for same reason (keep the stacks from ever falling).

I had previously stashed them all in my safe round the clock but had the reckoning that I was collecting something I rarely interacted with. Which seemed foolish . Not that anything about collecting is logical haha


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Hello all.

I will try to make my point here without sounding too cynical.

While I agree that the wall mounted displays, as well as the bookcases of clearly-labeled binders looks great. And what's the point of having a collection if you can't see/enjoy it.
But the reality of life is that there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there. If someone peeks inside your window, or a contractor is in your home to make a repair, or perhaps a well-meaning relative had one drink too many and tells someone he just met inside a bar about your "impressive" collection; you (and your collection) become vulnerable.

If you must display your collection for all to see, I would strongly recommend getting insurance - just in case (and for peace of mind).

Pricey but well made.

http://www.homeplateheroes.com/Homep...play-Case.html

I have a lot of inexpensive stuff in several display shelves in my office. For expensive stuff I have used scans on the net and a safe deposit box which I used to go visit fairly often, to see them in person.

I have a lot of inexpensive stuff on several display shelves in my office. For expensive stuff I have used scans on the net and a safe deposit box which I used to go visit fairly often, to see them in person.

I have mine in the box that I made

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/IMG_1360.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/IMG_1357.jpg

Nice, and nice cards too! :)

Great stowage box.

I made this display case for my Red Heart set when I completed it last year. Check out some of the other custom displays I've made in my photo album.
Drew

Nice Red Heart set Drew!!


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Woke up Saturday to a malfunctioning boiler and water cascading from the second floor all the way back down to the basement. Water coming through the ceilings. Scared the crap out of me but cards are on shelves on the other side of the house. Wake up call. Need to do something. Also get very concerned when workers are in the house. Time for a safe I think. Hate the idea of a safe deposit box where I need to go to bank to see my rare ones.

Here's my first attempt at a PSA storage box. Holds 100 at 30 degree angle. Really bad idea, too big and the sliding top is a pain. Right now it holds my Killebrew collection.

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...psxaatat10.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...psn03gqqel.jpg

Similar to what I have at home. Thought I'm going to need a lot more cases :eek:

Shoe boxes and rubber bands the way God intended.

Just kidding

Binders and sleeves.

Thanks

Frank

My raw sets are in pages/binders, partial sets and singles are in CardSavers in multi-row storage boxes. Graded sets cards are in Roop boxes and my partial graded sets and singles are in custom Pelican cases. Much of the more valuable material has been photographed, cataloged and stored in safe deposit.

Additionally, I have a bunch of stuff haphazardly stored throughout the man-cave, home safe and in the "closet."

I wish I could be as organized as some, but my OCD is superseded by my ADD...

I connect them to my bicycle with a clothes pin so that they go "clack, clack, clack" in the spokes.

My sets are in sheets and binders.

Sets from 1965 on up are arranged by teams, with my favorite teams first and the ones I like the least at the end. The exception is never put two teams one after the other that have the same color pattern (such as 65 Topps Yankees and Pirates). The first "team" is world series cards, league leaders etc. Each team usually has the team card first, manager second and star players in the center square. Also have a wrapper displayed on the first page.

My 63 and 64 Topps sets are arranges numerically.

Very nice. This photo just made me realize that I couldn't identify most 90's-now sets if you put a gun to my head.

Picked up at an estate sale today this Library Bureau. Couldn't pass it up for $60 to use for card storage. Great for storing cards in top loaders, but this one my actually be too big for my room. 20 drawers that can hold over 5,000 cards.

Attachment 234728

You and I think similar. I keep all my cards by year, and by team, and do watch for colors and things. I start my team with the team card, then the manager, then any coaches cards, then the players with the stars first, then semi-stars, then commons, and then after that any special cards of that team such as In Action, Multiple Player cards, etc.

Now that I dont do sets anymore and specialize by a city (New York) i keep all my like teams together and sort them by year by the way i just said above.:)

I have reread this thread and others until my eyes are about crossed trying to find some info I saw someone mention in an older thread, but I just can't seem to find it. Those of you who have purchased Pennzoni graded card cases, do they accommodate SGC holders? I always see PSA cards pictured on their site. SGC holders being a bit wider I was wondering if any of you have any experience with SGC slabs and Pennzoni cases? Thanks.

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The 30 card deep cases work quite well. The 36 card horizontal deep cases will fit 36 SGC cards with a slight overlap on each row but fit 32 cards quite nicely. The answer to your question is a qualified yes. It depends on how many cards you are trying to display.

On the 36 card deep cases, if you have mixed SGC and PSA cards, you can fit 36 cards just by having one PSA card per row and you will have no overlap. I do not however suggest the non deep cases as the cards can lean. Forward.

Kmac

Agreed. Some displays are very nice and some people have the right set up in their home to display them. But for me, no cards on display, only my balls. uhhh, baseballs. All cards are in a locked firebox bolted to the foundation next to my gun safe in a closet of the house that has an alarm with armed response....all insured thanks to a member who demanded i insure my stuff before i sell it to him.

simply
 

...........

Thank you. That is what I wanted to know.

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I have seen quite a few of those type files. They remind me of grade school and the dewey decimal system of looking up books from card files.

I agree with that in principle, but as I had a break in shortly after I got back into the hobby I keep most of my higher value cards in the bank. I'd love to look at them every day but that doesn't outweigh the risk of losing them. Plus it makes those occasional trips to the bank more fun.

Yup, that's exactly what is was last used for. When I got it it was still full of library cards. The cabinet is from 1903, and I believe it was last used in 1991 - which is about when computers had replaced most of these in libraries.

In addition to being very useful, it is a great looking piece - solid oak, detailed on all sides, and very heavy and sturdy.

Attachment 235315

A view of front...

Attachment 235318

Perfect! :)

I really like it too, And I guess I do remember those. Such great pieces and I think they can be had (sometimes) relatively cheaply too.

I remember them as well but would have no clue where to find one unless they're maybe available at antique places?

Just might give our local Kijiji (like Craigslist) a try and see what I can come up with? :)

Nice

I saw something similar and wondered, did you have to remove these metal bars that run along the bottom of the drawer or did yours not have these?

Yes I had to remove the metal rods/sticks, but they slide right out of the old drawers. You can still use the sliding wood back stops to hold the cards upright. The metal rods just prevented someone from removing the catalog cards.

Attachment 235759

Attachment 235760

Storing sets in binders
 

Does it make any difference whether the album is stored flat or upright?

A.J., that looks absolutely stunning! Congrats on a great-looking display!

Best regards,

Larry

Thanks Larry!

My dad isn't into cards but he loves golf so I recently bought him some 91 Donruss Golf cards and this inexpensive but nice quality case to hang in his office. Turned out great! Can't say enough about these Pennzoni cases. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230950710898...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I currently have my project stored in a mix of toploaders and slabs. With 175 cards, it's a bit of a PITA keeping track of everything. I'm looking in to putting them in an album, though first I'd need to find the time to crack open 60 slabs.

I store them flat, that way no bending ever and everything stays really nice. I dont go more than 4 albums in a pile.

This is the best way to store albums:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...n/IMG_3429.jpg

No More Binders
 

ditched the binders years ago as I worried about curling / bending of pages standing upright in the binders.

chose instead to board / bag the pages tightly so they'll remain flat when standing on shelves.

no issues thus far, and my sets have been stored as described above for many years.

.

I like to tape my T206 Wagner on the bathroom window so the world can see it.
This way I know it gets plenty of sunlight to keep the colors bright, it gets plenty of moisture to keep the cards supple and the tape is just a way of securing it since I hardly doubt a burglar is going to rob anything from the bathroom.
I make sure also, that I tape all of my most valuable cards to my windows so the world can see them. I have my 52 near mint Mantle and my Cracker Jack Joe Jackson taped on my bedroom window and the living room window in that order.

It may just be the pic but that looks like a lot of sunlight hitting your display. If that is true I'd reconsider this display (or its location)

I don't own any of these (yet) but there are some high-end document conservation companies that sell binders that come with covers they slip into that would seem to prevent curling -- and also protect against dust.

You got an amazing deal on that!

I have been looking, since I read your post sometime ago, and I can't find anything (when I do see one) for anything remotely close to what you paid for your's.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectib...ationFlag=true

This one is rough and about a 1/8 of your size and it is still close to $200 dollars!
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-other-furnitu...ationFlag=true

Didn't know these were so popular, and expensive!
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/library-card-cabinet

I put mine up on the walls with push pins. Color code the pin color to the card.
Oversized cards, such as 52 Topps, I use small nails or even a staple gun.

I find the Industrial, air driven staplers work the best. No need to worry about them falling out then! :D

I have 2 questions on sets in binders.

First, do you put 2 cards in each slot, front to back so only the fronts shows or 1 card put slot, front and back shows? Originally, I put 2 per slot to save space and money. But, over the last few years have gotten new sheets and redid with 1 card per slot.

Second question - Do you put the card in a penny sleeve and then in the slot or no sleeve at all.

Personally, depending on the rarity/expense of the cards, I'd only put one card per sleeve in as to not cause damage to the first card you put in.

If they are a junk wax collection, then that's a different story.
The card sleeves, imo, can't hurt and will help avoid catching an edge or having to forcefully put the cards in the pockets like I have experienced at times.

I have ALL my cards in sleeves with NO penny sleeve and BACK TO BACK. Most people like to see the backs and/or think this is dangerous, but this is what i have done for 35+ years, it works for me.

I don't personally use sleeves or do the back-to-back thing.

Security
 

When it comes to storing cards, I think of security. It should be the priority......period.

I attain that security be hiding my collection through my house.

Hide them under my bed

Attachment 241512

I have some hidden in my shoes. Some shoes are better for hiding than others.....

Attachment 241514

And hide them in places that people don't use like my bidet. I mean, this is America......we don't do bidets. Clean buttholes are for Communists.

U-S-A

Attachment 241513

If anyone needs hiding advice, PM me. My hiding spots are so good I haven't seen my Home Run Baker card since Columbus Day 2014.

I used to store my collection in the middle of the room under a sheet and with a chair on top for extra security. ;)

For my sets, I had these leather binders custom made. They are pages that fit top loaders. They're super strong, the cards are safe, and the binders look nice on a bookcase.

Conor - those are great. Can I ask where you had them done?

It was a company called Impact Enterprises. I had to buy a minimum of 25 for the custom order and they weren't cheap, as far as binders for baseball cards go, but the service was great. They did prototypes and made sure I got exactly what I wanted. I couldn't be happier with them. The pages also have a little tab at the top of each pocket so you could hold the binder upside down and the cards stay in place.

http://impactenterprises.com

custom binders
 

nice.

DS

Thanks for the info, Conor - much appreciated.