Displaying cards ok or no?

[silvor]

I have two display cases I used to have action figures in. It's about 36x36" and 4" deep. Made of walnut with glass shelves.

The first case is in my basement, split level house, so the basement is only 4 feet under the ground. It's not humid, not in direct sunlight - not really in any light. Just in the corner of the basement.

I have LED lights on the cabinet, but never and will never use them.

If I put my graded cards in the case with the sleeve covers like this:
https://www.ebay.com/i/141721301364?chn=ps
over, think that will be ok?

The second cabinet is in my kids room and he has his cards in penny sleeves, then a top holder. The light isn't direct, but he gets some morning light. Not direct, just the room is pretty bright in the morning.

What do you guys think?

[Throttlesteer]

I would be a little hesitant to display my cards with direct sunlight hitting them. I've seen a lot of different items fade over time, simply from being on display for a prolonged time. If you choose to do so, I would consider investing in some UV film to put over the top of the case. This would certainly help/slow down the process.

[conor912]

Sounds like the basement case is fine. From what I'm hearing, though, I wouldn't put anything of value in the other case. Although direct sun is by far the worst, really any light is not good.

[orly57]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

I would be a little hesitant to display my cards with direct sunlight hitting them. I've seen a lot of different items fade over time, simply from being on display for a prolonged time. If you choose to do so, I would consider investing in some UV film to put over the top of the case. This would certainly help/slow down the process.

Nonsense.

[drcy]

People who are conscious of limiting light, especially direct light, will generaly be in good shape.

[GasHouseGang]

You should only view your cards in total darkness.

[drcy]

Problem solved

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

You should only view your cards in total darkness.

LOL... I think it's more the direct sunlight that would hurt....and I also think indirect light can affect things a little bit unless they are UV protected. My Horner Composite is the only thing I have gotten protected and is the only valuable thing I have on display. This is a very poor picture but it is fairly consistent in its focus in person, not like this picture.

[Piratedogcardshows]

Beautiful composite Leon! I especially like Big Ban Johnson with his glare. Reseached him the other day and I have the feeling he was a very intimidating presence.

[rainier2004]

Absolutely no direct light or indirect light. I got a shade that absorbs light to prevent any light into the room. I also changed all my bulbs to leds that could be on the cards. Then get the uv/museum quality glass and youre in good shape. I love displaying stuff, piece of mind to not fading is priceless.

Do it the right way.

[bxb]

I have found that direct sunlight weakens signatures on photos signed with blue sharpie.

[RaidonCollects]

Are any ultra pro holders or PSA cases UV resistant at all?

Owen

[steve B]

Believe it or not, the penny sleeves are UV resistant. I had some cards in fairly direct sun for 2 years + and the ones in sleeves were fine while the unsleeved were faded wherever they were exposed.

The sleeves themselves did poorly, becoming too brittle to handle. But they did stop a lot of UV.

I wouldn't trust that with expensive cards though. Maybe I just got lucky and had a "good" batch of sleeves.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by RaidonCollects

Are any ultra pro holders or PSA cases UV resistant at all?

Owen

I know that Ultra-Pro's ball cubes claim to have some UV protectant, but it's important to remember that UV protection is gradient and not black and white. Think of it a sunscreen...you can get SPF 4 and you can get SPF 100. I would think that the ball cubes are more in the SPF 4 category. As far as I know, no top loaders on the market offer any kind of UV protection. I have heard that PSA slabs have some, but still on the low end of the spectrum.

If your collection is displayed in a room that is dark other than when people are using it, say an hour or two a day, then you're fine. If they are in a room that gets light (any kind of light) all or most of the day (like a living room or bedroom with the curtains open), then over time there will be degradation. The hard part is that sometimes the fading can happen so slowly and gradually that you won't really notice until it's too late.

The best you can get is museum quality glass, and even that only offers something like 98% protection....and it is very expensive. The is no such thing as a see-through 100% solution, which is why the high SPF sunscreens are the thick, white cream that never fully absorbs - they are "physical blockers" which literally block out all light.

The bottom line is, if the value (monetary or sentimental) of your item is of great importance to you, either store it in complete (or close to complete) darkness for 22+ hours/day, or pony up for museum glass.

[Leon]

[QUOTE=conor912;1736937]I know that Ultra-Pro's ball cubes claim to have some UV protectant, but it's important to remember that UV protection is gradient and not black and white. Think of it a sunscreen...you can get SPF 4 and you can get SPF 100. I would think that the ball cubes are more in the SPF 4 category. As far as I know, no top loaders on the market offer any kind of UV protection. I have heard that PSA slabs have some, but still on the low end of the spectrum.

If your collection is displayed in a room that is dark other than when people are using it, say an hour or two a day, then you're fine. If they are in a room that gets light (any kind of light) all or most of the day (like a living room or bedroom with the curtains open), then over time there will be degradation. The hard part is that sometimes the fading can happen so slowly and gradually that you won't really notice until it's too late.

The best you can get is museum quality glass, and even that only offers something like 98% protection....and it is very expensive. The is no such thing as a see-through 100% solution, which is why the high SPF sunscreens are the thick, white cream that never fully absorbs - they are "physical blockers" which literally block out all light.

The bottom line is, if the value (monetary or sentimental) of your item is of great importance to you, either store it in complete (or close to complete) darkness for 22+ hours/day, or pony up for museum glass.[/QUOTE]

That last part is good advice. I did and am very happy I did (as I am sure others who have done it, feel.) If you have a valuable object the cost is a tiny percent. I think my Horner photo (above), done as archival as it realistically gets (at a nice, upscale art place) was around $350, approx 8-9 yrs ago. Here is a plug for them as they are really nice folks and do a great job.

http://www.swgallery.com/custom-fram...al-projects-25

.

[David W]

Use a good quality paper and make photocopies of the cards that's what I did then you don't have to worry about it

[EvilKing00]

my cards are displayed but they are in an big enclosed cabinet - u have to open the wood doors to see them.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by David W

Use a good quality paper and make photocopies of the cards that's what I did then you don't have to worry about it

I had copies of a lot of cards displayed until recently. Now I have some cheap Goudeys and other memorabilia displayed.