T206 storage? Albums, top loaders or slabs?

[bravos4evr]

I was wondering how most of you store your T206 cards, as a noob to collecting them I am leaning towards an album just for the ease of looking at my collection as it grows, but this seems to present the largest risk for damage. Top loaders are safer but kinda bland and with all those little tobacco loaders clattering around, it seems kinda lame. Slabs seem the best option, but they are kinda ugly and it's expensive to have so many low dollar commons graded just for protection purposes.


so what say you?

[Luke]

Good question. When I started, I got a few SGC 30s and said I was going to only collect SGC 30s. Then I decided that was dumb but I would still only get SGC graded cards. Then I decided that was dumb too and started getting PSA and raw cards. I had the raw cards in card savers the same size as the graded cards. Then I switched to the little tobacco top loaders. Then I got a binder to put those top loaders in. Then I realized there were 3 layers of plastic between me and the card so I switched to the smallest size of card saver. That's where I'm at right now and it feels like that's what I will stay with. The only thing I never have or will try is putting raw cards directly into a binder. Too scary for me.

[bravos4evr]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

Good question. When I started, I got a few SGC 30s and said I was going to only collect SGC 30s. Then I decided that was dumb but I would still only get SGC graded cards. Then I decided that was dumb too and started getting PSA and raw cards. I had the raw cards in card savers the same size as the graded cards. Then I switched to the little tobacco top loaders. Then I got a binder to put those top loaders in. Then I realized there were 3 layers of plastic between me and the card so I switched to the smallest size of card saver. That's where I'm at right now and it feels like that's what I will stay with. The only thing I never have or will try is putting raw cards directly into a binder. Too scary for me.

see therein lies the conundrum. I would like to be able to look at my stuff without the thick top loader (plus i think a binder of t206 would look amazing) but card safety comes into play..... it's like a 3 ring binder page made out of top loader material would be the best answer.

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

The only thing I never have or will try is putting raw cards directly into a binder. Too scary for me.

Very similar to Luke but this takes the cake! I don't know how anyone is able to put them in a binder.

I've got some slabbed on display in a case in my living room. Lots of PSA, SGC, and Raw cards tucked away in a shoe box

[T206Collector]

I've experimented with binders, but there is too much risk in hurting the card on the way in and out. I stick with penny sleeves in toploaders, with EX+ cards in slabs.

[tab]

I have a binder, raw cards and the majority are graded. Not because I expect to get big bucks. The #1 reason I like them slabbed is for protection! I can't mess them up easily. #2 is that i know they are real and not reprints. ( although I'm sure someone could swap cards and put reprints in.

[Jantz]

Nick

I would have to pick "All of the above", but that wasn't an option in your poll.

Although I will say again that no words can describe a T206 set in a binder.

[Cozumeleno]

I use D-ring binders with slip covers and have yet to have any issues. My set is also mostly lower grade in P-VG condition, though. If I were collecting higher grade cards, I wouldn't recommend just a binder. But as someone who's had them in toploaders previously, the convenience of being able to see them in a binder gives the best experience.

Originally Posted by bravos4evr

I was wondering how most of you store your T206 cards, as a noob to collecting them I am leaning towards an album just for the ease of looking at my collection as it grows, but this seems to present the largest risk for damage. Top loaders are safer but kinda bland and with all those little tobacco loaders clattering around, it seems kinda lame. Slabs seem the best option, but they are kinda ugly and it's expensive to have so many low dollar commons graded just for protection purposes.


so what say you?

[Billy5858]

I'm just starting my march with the Monster.
I have always bought PSA cards, but there are so
many T206's I've decided to buy raw cards only for
The commons. Raw cards are a new thing for me so
It's pretty cool actually feeling and smelling a real card.
I'm gonna collect a low grade set because I also buy high
grade other cards too. I'll go broke.

So for me Commons I buy raw and put
into a binder 15 to a page. I don't use the
top row because it seems like they will get damaged.

Southern League and HOFs I buy
PSA 2 or 3 to keep them protected

[LuckyLarry]

Eventually I want to re-organize my cards from alphabetical order and sort by teams. I think that would be sweet.
Larry

[tiger8mush]

a couple hundred in binder pages, maybe 10-15 in slabs, and about 50 in a raw stack.

[cincyredlegs]

Great topic as I was having this same discussion this weekend with some friends. I think the answer is what you prefer as a collector.

I think if you are buying as an investment to sell then get them all graded.

If your buying as a collector and not selling (at least in the near future) then you have options. Luke brings up some good options.

I started out doing all SGC. I have decided that I am going raw IN a binder except for my HOF's and some special cards. Most of my collection is in the SGC 40 range. I will end up displaying my graded cards on the wall.

My issue with everything graded is you just don't get to enjoy them as much IMO. It's so hard to look through 500 slabs vs going through a binder.

Just my 2 cents.

Mark

[unamuzd1]

I picked "top loaders," but I actually do top loaders in albums. It can get clunky, and by the time I'm done the albums will take up a whole shelf, but it's so nice to flip through them...

[the 'stache]

Poll is closed, but my T206s are a combination of slabbed and in top loaders.

[cammb]

Since I only collect SGC graded T 206, I found a way to look at them through an album. I just photocopy the slab .

[bravos4evr]

damn that is a good idea!

btw, those SGC slabs are far superior to the PSA as far as looks. the black surround really makes those cards pop

[david_l]

Question for you all storing your tobacco cards in binders. I'm sorry if this has been asked before..

I see that most of you store your cards in fifteen pocket sleeves instead of twenty pocket sleeves. I haven't used twenty pocket sleeves before but am considering it.

Is there a reason that they're not popularly used? Is it aesthetics or functionality!

Thanks!

[Cozumeleno]

I think most of the reason they are not as popular is because the cards, when not trimmed, stick out at the tops a bit.

I use them because most of my cards are in lower-grade (mostly P-VG) condition and I tend to be very careful with them. But if you are collecting mid-grade or high-grade raw cards, I would not use them. You cannot fit as many cards into a binder with the 15-pocket sleeves, but you can still easily fit a set. Part of the reason I like them is because it allows me to put my T205s, T206s, and T207s all into one binder.

Originally Posted by david_l

Question for you all storing your tobacco cards in binders. I'm sorry if this has been asked before..

I see that most of you store your cards in fifteen pocket sleeves instead of twenty pocket sleeves. I haven't used twenty pocket sleeves before but am considering it.

Is there a reason that they're not popularly used? Is it aesthetics or functionality!

Thanks!

[Billy5858]

I use 20 pocket sleeves but only use the bottom
15 pockets. I find when using the top row
Some of the cards stick up just a hair and
Can get damaged.