Cases. Holders? Cases...
 

In the realm of ungraded cards, can anyone recommend a card case or holder that is neither a screw-down, top-loader, or Card Saver I for the larger 1952-56 Topps cards that actually looks decent?

As a kid, I loved screw-downs for some of my nicer cards - but of course now we know why not to use those. I don't know, I have a '56 Mantle in about VG that's not really worthy of professional grading - and I'm just looking to put it in something a little beefier than the Card Saver I it's been living in for the past few years since I finally liberated it from an old screw-down.

Suggestions? Thanks.

Better than a toploader, you're probably looking at a Snap-Tite or a One Touch magnetic. I'm sure they make both for 52-56 sizes.

Does BCCG grade them? I know the uninformed hate BCCG but I believe that was the reason Beckett done it. It is more for collectors wanting to protect their cards instead of putting them in a magic plastic holder to make them more valuable.

From looking myself, neither of those 2 will work for the larger 52 Topps cards as far as I know.

I was very close to purchasing these (Pro-Molds) but since I was having trouble obtaining them in Canada, I decided just use vintage top loaders with vintage sleeves.

These would have been preferred for sure. They were exactly what I was looking for but I looked to no avail.
https://www.pro-mold.com/vintagecardcases.html

UVA protection is a nice feature. Don't believe PSA and SG have that.

Just bought a Pro Mold holder for my lone Old Judge card. You're right, a Card Saver is so wimpy for such a nice card that I don't want to get graded. I'll let you know what I think when I get it.
Scott

Why should these not be used again? I would love to know since I have quite a few of them..

Thank you..

They ruin cards. Cards love to stick to them so when you go to remove the card from the holder not all the card comes out. If you have the flat ones without the recessed area for the card they will press the card and distort it in size also.

What Ben said below your post, but if you didn't screw down the cards tightly and laid the cubes on their side instead of their backs (To keep the weight off the card) you may get lucky?

I panicked when I read about those cubes on here as my Mick and Mays were both kept in those cubes for over 25+ years! :eek:

Luckily, I only screwed them down just enough to hold the card and laid them on their side as when I removed my cards, I had no issues, thankfully! :)

P.S. Forgot to add. If you do find your cards are stuck, do not force them off. Place them in the freezer first before attempting removal.

Yeah, the main problems with old screwdowns are from moisture getting into the card and then having no way to get out, essentially steaming the card and causing the ink to stick to the case.

+1

Not really a fan of the snap-tites just because I don't like the way they look, but live and die by ultrapro one-touch. However, Irv is right, they don't fit the odd size. Have to go with pro-mold for any odd sizes as they make them for almost every issue.

Happy to see ultrapro did come out with a tobacco size one-touch though.

Wish they offered a size for 33-34 Goudey.

Oh shit.. I'm freeing them now.. Thanks!!

Freeing Some.. Got Lucky..
 

These have been laying flat for quite sometime but got lucky.. I'll do more later after the games and ordered some Pro Mold holders to store them. I can not believe they could cause that much damage..Thanks again!!

I just liberated around two dozen cards from various types of screwdown and snap-tite holders. The cards varied from early 50's (55' Koufax) to early 80's (84T Mattingly) and had been stored on end for maybe 25 years.

Fortunately, the only card I had any problem with was a 1983 Wade Boggs RC that stuck a bit to the top plate on a screwdown. I used a razor blade to pry it off, but lost a tiny bit of paper in the process. Ended up putting them all in toploaders.

Didn't think of the freezer trick at the time, but we did use to do that back in the early '80s to get the gum to not stick to the cards. Wax boxes of baseball cards in the freezer.

Nice cards, Bruce!

Glad to see you had no issues. :)

Sharp looking cards; glad they don't have any damage.

I have stored the bulk of my collection in screwdowns for 20 years. I have taken them in and out and displayed in every way imaginable. I have screwed and unscrewed thousands and have not had one single issue with them sticking or damaging a card.

I agree. I use all types of cases as I like my cards displayed like Campyfan. I think as long as you use some common sense there isn't any issue i.e. Climate and humidity control room, don't screw too tight. You could also put the card in a penny sleeve before the screw down. That would eliminate the potential sticking issue.

Drew

I think the issue is that the world has moved on to better things and screw-downs are a remnant of the past better left there. I would not buy a card in a screw-down and the many I had from the past have been tossed.

It's like being on the bomb squad, you can have many passable days but the risk is always there. Why take a risk when it is cheaply avoided?

The sticking is just one issue these cause, the paper/size altering is just as bad as the card is ungradable.

To each his own I guess. For me the screw downs display beautifully the card in its pure and natural state. I have freed hundreds from their psa prisons. Graded cards take so much of the beauty away as the first thing you look at/for is a number someone hurriedly and subjectively assigned.

I am not a fan of graded cases myself, especially PSA. They just look ugly.

I don't free cards I buy, but I also don't submit my ungraded. I used to like the screw-downs, but they just look clunky and ugly next to the Ultrapro magnetic one-touches I have moved to. I would buy a few 35pts on eBay and check them out. They have a good heft and look great on display. They also give a ton more protection than a graded case as they have UV protection from color fade.

http://www.ultrapro.com/product_list.php?cPath=90_92

I understand your point but one of the problems with going to the one touch is that when you collect Bowman (both sizes) Leaf, and Topps both pre and post 57 there isn't any constant product to display them in except top loaders or card savers and they are both ugly to display.

I use non recessed 4 screw downs. I cut black archival paper to fit the inside of the case then cut an opening that holds the card. Like SGC graded cards. That way the cards are protected, not crushed and all of the cases are uniform on the outside dimensions to line up in the wall cases I've built to house them.

May not be for everyone but I'm very happy with the results.

Drew

I use the Pro-mold cases for the odd sizes. They do produce cases for all those issues.

https://www.pro-mold.com/onescrewscrewdowns.html

I stand corrected. Thanks for the link.
Drew

Cases. Holders? Cases...
 

I hate BCCG and I am not uninformed, trust me. The problem is they try to fool the uninformed by assigning grades like "8" to a card that is only EX in attempts to get someone to think it's the equivalent of what "8" means in the rest of the grading world. I just think it's very shady. I certainly would not send in a card to be slabbed just for their case.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Agree with you guys. The only reason I took my cards out of the screw-downs was because of the direction the hobby went in with not using them anymore. I too used them for years, from the 1980's until probably about 5 years ago - and never had the first problem. I think the only real hazard is moisture - and my cards have never been kept in the basement or anything like that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks all for the responses here. I just pulled the trigger on a 5-pack of one screw Pro Mold's for the 1952-56 Topps size. They should be here next week at the latest. Will let you know what I think. I like the idea of the UV protection - not that I display my cards much anymore, but I have seen some nice cards ruined before after years of sitting in display cases under bright fluorescent lights. Ugh.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Got my Pro-mold case for my Old Judge. I love it. Has good heft and makes the card feel like a museum piece. Sorry the photo is out of focus.

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your 52's in those holders, John, if you don't mind posting them up? :)

Is that Pro-mold recessed? I can't quite tell.

I believe they are all recessed?

Haven't used them before, but you are probably right.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Just took a look at the thread again.

Yes, all the promold one screws are recessed with open corners to avoid dings. The ultrapros are also.

Like Justin stated. If you watch the link run through, you'll see that it shows a variety of cards in different cases/holders, but they are all recessed.
https://www.pro-mold.com/vintagecardcases.html

It is recessed.

Alright, I have reread this thread a couple of times and looked at the pro-mold site. Is there an advantage between the magnetic and the one screw holder? Also, if I were buying pro-molds for '65 Topps baseball, which thickness do I pick for the one screw holders? Would that be a 20 point thickness?

Edited to add: I found the answer to my question. The 20 point is considered a "regular" card. So, back to my original question: one screw or magnetic?

Well, kind of up to you. Magnetics are easier for getting cards in and out of, because you don't need a Phillips head handy. But that means if you drop it, it will probably pop out.

I hadn't thought of that....would probably opt for the one screw.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

That, and I also read, but don't know if it's true, the magnets, over time, will produce some type of dirt/sediment, and of course nobody wants that on their cards.

Cases. Holders? Cases...
 

I don't have 52's to put in them at the moment, but do have some 55's and 56's. Mine just came in today, and I've already put the '55 Jackie Robinson that led me to start this thread in one. Very pleased. They are basically like a graded card case with the recessed area, and the diamond-tip cutouts for the corners, but then close with a screw obviously instead of a hermetic seal.

I will post some pics tonight once I get a few more cards in the other ones I bought, but yes - for $2 or so a pop this will be my new go-to case for ungraded going forward.

Thanks again all for the advice!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Never heard of that and I have been using them for years. The magnets are coated with some metal as to not wear.

Now they are not airtight, nor are the pro-molds so if improperly stored they could possibly get a particulate in there in theory. I put mine in graded card bags for storage and to prevent scratches so it's not an issue. I think most of the complaints I have seen were user error, as many modern card collectors put cards in the wrong size holders causing damage (the extra thick cards). As long as the correct case is used, I have not seen any believable horror stories.

I do use both kinds, so please try what you are comfortable with. I just always use the ultras when I can for aesthetic reasons. They just look better.

As to dropping, I guess that could be an issue if you have hardwood floors. I don't have any experience dropping one from a distance but I know I have slid a few off my desk in my office moving some paperwork and they did not open falling to an area rug on the hardwood.

Please do as you enjoy for your collections. :)

Anyone ever really test the "UV blocking" capabilities with Pro-Mold? That's got me intrigued. Says "5+ years" of blocking 99% of UV rays. I don't display my cards much, but the way I am I get paranoid even about the fluorescent lights in my closest where my cards live. And those stay off 90% of the time!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Actually fluorescent puts out massive UV, enough to get a tan based on studies. LED is the best for protecting color. Almost all museums have switched to LED lighting.

I have not seen any color loss, but I display in a basement with LED strip lighting that is only on if I am looking at them. However the UV protection provided by PRO-Mold and Ultrapro is better than nothing, and that is what all the TPGs have.

I wish they were sold in Canada but I exhausted all leads. I really wanted these for my 52's! :(

Looking forward to seeing your pics.

And, you're Welcome. :)

When I was searching early last year, I read a bunch of reviews and I recall reading about 1 person (only 1) who stated that is what happened to his.
I don't recall reading about anyone contesting that claim, so I thought there might have been some truth to it?

Like I mentioned much earlier in this thread, I just went the route of new Vintage top loaders and sleeves as that was basically my only option.
I haven't gotten around to switching everything over yet, as, like you, I want to purchase team bags first to put them in to help with scratches and hazing.
Hopefully I can find/purchase Team Bags that will work/fit snug/securely with my Vintage Top Loaders?

Ok, here are the first 4 in my oversized Pro Mold 1-screw's. Very pleased with the look, but have to admit upon closer examination - there is one thing that is bugging me. The cards (with the exception of the '55 Bowman...) all move around a bit in the case in the recessed area. The 56's move up and down pretty easily. The 55 Robinson will move if I try a bit harder. Is this a big deal? I've read other articles on graded cards that move in their cases from time to time, and the consensus there was it's not really an issue - and even people who tried have not been able to damage the cards when they move them. Someone even did a test putting a graded card in a paint can shaker like they have at Home Depot, and claimed that did not damage the card. Let me know what you think...

I'm not sure if envious is the proper word, John, but I sure wish I could get those!
They look great, imo.

Thanks for sharing. :)

Thanks Irv. What do you think about the cards moving in the case? That bugs me. Not happy about it, but I'll go back to Card Savers if this is the case. I do occasionally like to take some cards with me places, and I don't want them bouncing around like bumper cars in their cases when I do that. Say what you will about the old non-recessed 4-screw downs, but cards didn't move in them.

Last update before I go to bed:

Got the cards out again about an hour after I had shelved them in disgust just to make sure I wasn't crazy. And I wasn't. These cases are ridiculous; the cards were moving around in them as if on greased skids. Upon closer examination, the two sides of the case even when the screw is driven as tight as it will go don't really seal on both sides. You can still wiggle the bottom piece! Shoddy.

Very disappointing, but my mid-grade, mid-fifties treasures from the earlier picture are now safe and sound back inside good ol' trustworthy Card Saver I's. I will see if there is anything I can do to return my order, but I doubt it since I opened all but one of the Pro-Mold's. Oh well, I'm out 10 bucks. Lesson learned...

That's disappointing to hear, John. I really thought they'd be ideal for our types of cards, but if they move around that much, then I don't blame you for being disappointed.

Just an afterthought, and one I probably wouldn't like anyways, but would putting them in sleeves help with the moving around?
I assume it would, but it would definitely take away the reason why one would purchase them for in the first place.

One of the reasons I like the quality of the ultras and the lack of a screw. I once had a few pro-molds for the small bowmans that did not seem to close properly. After looking, I realized that the screw was threading both the top and bottom pieces creating a gap. After opening the hole a bit on the top piece so the threads would only catch the bottom they tightened up. This might be part of your issue.

Sorry if you are bummed on the cases.

Good point and I'm actually going to try that. I ordered some penny sleeves for the larger vintage cards yesterday along with some properly sized toploaders. Not sure if the cards in the sleeves will then in turn be too big to go in the Pro Molds, but it's worth trying. I figure a card in a sleeve inside the thicker case won't look all that different than a BVG slab.

That may be worth looking at too. I will continue to play around with them and report back. Of course the seller empathized with my situation, but did not offer to refund me.

Thank you for this insight, Justin. That's brilliant. I was having the same trouble with my Pro-Mold one-screws. I couldn't figure out why, after tightening the pieces together sufficiently, the case was still loose!

I have a model car rat tail file that will work perfectly to open up the aperture of the top hole.

Thank you again!!!! :D ---Brian Powell

Drew,

Those look pretty sharp. Do those offer UV protection? Nice presentation.

Z

I believe they do say UV protected plus the plexiglass I used in the case itself has it. On top of that they are in a room with no natural sunlight and the actual room lights are on rarely. The final kicker of course is that I collect lower grade cards so my financial investment in them isn't too high. Haha

Thanks for the kind words.

Drew

I am not happy with my current BVG purchases due to how the cards look, especially in the scans.
Seriously thinking about cracking these out and then just placing them in vintage sleeves and top loaders.

My Mick and Mays, although in older cut sleeves and top loaders, look much better, imo.

So are LED lights proven to be better than fluorescent tubes in regards to fading cards?

Fluorescent tubes are terrible and can cause significant damage to other materials, let alone the fading aspect of it.

From what I have read (but do your own research) LED's are the way to go.

My oversized penny sleeves and toploaders for 1952-56 finally came in today. Will have to see what I think of them and report back tonight.

Also for some of my more valuable older cards, I'm going to try the penny sleeve with the Pro Mold and see how that works.

Cases. Holders? Cases...
 

Monday update:



Yes, vintage penny sleeves used on the cards before putting them in the Pro Mold's does solve the movement issue. It's not the most elegant solution in the world, but it works and the finished product doesn't look all that different than a BVG slab with the type of sleeve they use. The penny sleeves I have for the vintage cards are actually a tad bigger than the recessed area of the Pro Mold case, but if you are careful to center the card going in and make sure that the card itself does not land outside of the recessed area before applying the screwdriver, you will be fine. The resulting pressure on the case when closed is not sufficient enough to indent the sleeve or cause any additional strain on the card.



Honestly I think for run-of-the mill cards they will probably look cleaner in a toploader with the sleeve, but I like the idea of the rigidity and UV protection provided by the Pro Mold...(if nothing much else about the case). At least for the likes of Mantle, Robinson, and Mays.



Will see how it goes. If I get this home and decide I hate it in a day, I do finally have plenty of properly-sized top-loaders now...



-John

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1604175b4d.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John, I don't think that looks bad at all. I do, however, share your thought that a vintage size sleeve and toploader might be just as good as long as you aren't trying to display the cards. Good either way. Nice Jackie!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

That looks good, imo, John.

I have recently put a few of my 52's in the vintage sleeves and top loaders that I purchased, and I also like them.

I just need to buy team bags for all of them now to keep the scratches and scuffs to a minimum.

If I was displaying my cards, I'd bite the bullet and purchase some Pro-Molds state side and do exactly as you did.

Cases. Holders? Cases...
 

Thanks guys.



Well, after messing with 3 or 4 more screw downs tonight, I finally said screw it and am back to toploaders. Simplicity works best, I think. For more than just a few cards, the setup with the Pro-Mold and aligning the penny sleeve (which is too big) correctly in the case is just too much of a pain. After I stripped about 2 screws just now, I took them out and a minute later everything was tucked nice and neat into toploaders. They provide good protection, they look good, and they are cheap and very easy to work with / quick to change cards in and out of when you need to.



I think I was making an easy solution difficult from the start just out of the desire to try something different. :mad: Thanks to those of you that hung in there with me on this thread.

That's too bad it didn't work out, John, but reading your story, if it's any consolation, saved me from pursuing some in the near future.

I honestly thought these would work perfect for guys like us, but hearing how much they moved around, I guess that isn't the case, sadly.

No problem. It was a $10 experiment that I was glad to pay for. For me from here on out it will be sleeves and toploaders or card savers for anything that is not graded. Other cases are just to difficult to use en masse.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dale, are you using a CCD printer, like a Canon Canoscan? If not, I highly recommend one. They are relatively cheap - just over $100 new. You'll want to rescan your entire collection and they work great on all slabs (BVG included).

Rob
:)

The look with a slab on top of a sleeve is a bit busy, to be sure. I don't mind how BVG slabs look, my only problem was with the Pro-Mold cases and the cards moving. But yes, toploaders and sleeves are very easy and inexpensive and the cards look great in them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same, and like you mentioned, they look great in there. :)

I am using a HP Photosmart C4780 (Print-Scan-Copy) that I have had for quite a few years. No idea if it's a CCD or not, however, but I assume it is old tech relatively speaking?

I think the problem with the BVG slabs is the bags/sleeves they put inside them mostly? Some bags are fairly smooth/even but some others, which are my worst scans, are bagged up so to speak.

In my FlickR link, there are around 10-15 graded PSA slabbed cards, and although you can tell they are based on the pic quality, none of them are as bad as my recent BVG graded card scans.

I'll have to look into one of those printers, Rob. With my ever failing eyesight, I need the best I can get! :D

Thanks :)