I switched back to raw cards and my happiness increased 1000%

[Balticfox]

My only mild disagreement is that cards are a lot easier to look through when in nine pocket pages in a binder (or several dozen in my case).

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

My only mild disagreement is that cards are a lot easier to look through when in nine pocket pages in a binder (or several dozen in my case).

I totally agree with you. I also go back in forth between binders vs boxes. I chose boxes recently because I’m truly trying to go to a simple easy care free way of collecting however, you are right, putting them in binders makes it so much easier to view them.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

...however, you are right, putting them in binders makes it so much easier to view them.

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Through the years I have tried several different methods. I finally went back to what made me happy - 3 ring binders in Pro sheets - in sets.

Whatever makes one happy!

Moreover filling out the empty spaces in my Ultra Pro sheets provides me with both joy and a sense of accomplishment!

[bnorth]

I have been collecting for close to 40 years now and most of it was just collecting cards.

Grading became a problem for me when I bought a complete set of vintage cards from a fellow member on here. What he sent me was a set of NrMint or better cards. So I decided to get the entire set graded because of condition. Well I ended up with the #3 set. I struggled a lot with upgrading 7s, 8s, and 9s for a couple years. Finally I knew I needed to break up and sell the set. For me I decided paying hundreds of dollars for a card nobody could tell the difference in beside a number on a flip was stupid.

[gonefishin]

Every thread needs a picture - here is mine - it doesn't show them all but you get the idea. The stars indicate they are complete. The ones without a star are the 2d set because I ended up with so many dups!

[jchcollins]

I don't mind flipping through lower grade commons truly raw (just the cardboard, no sleeve or card saver or anything)...

But for a lot of the things I enjoy in my collection, mixing the common sense of the knowledge of the value of the cards with how I view them is a necessity. Not everything is slabbed, but I use a lot of card savers, toploaders, and mag cases like UP One Touches and Pro-Mold's for my raw cards that are worth something.

[homerunhitter]

I bought an album and ultra pro pages to test them out and today I started putting some 1951-1959 topps into the ultra pro pages and I must say, WOW! Vintage topps cards from the 1950’s look amazing in pages. Really, much better than I thought they would look. My only questions on this are,

-Is it necessary to put these cards (1951-1959 topps) in a penny sleeve?

-Will these cards stick to the ultra pro pages over time (with long term storage?)

-Are there any benefits to putting these cards in a penny sleeve (they are lower to Mid grade cards)

Thanks guys for your help. I finally found a way to store these that i absolutely love. I appreciate you all.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I struggled a lot with upgrading 7s, 8s, and 9s for a couple years.... For me I decided paying hundreds of dollars for a card nobody could tell the difference in beside a number on a flip was stupid.

Indeed! What year were the cards?

[cesarcap]

Bravo! I too am a raw guy but I do have 2-3 shoeboxes full of cards but prefer binders and sleeves and top loaders for dupes.

[gonefishin]

Through the years I have tried several different methods. I finally went back to what made me happy - 3 ring binders in Pro sheets - in sets. The graded cards that make up my sets I take a picture of the card, size it, and place it in the binder. The binder makes it so easy because you can also read the back of the card, pull them out when you want, and easily helps me track my completion of the set. If you have 2 versions of the card - let's say yellow and white versions of the 69 Mantle - you can easily place both cards in the binder. Yes, I have Mantles, Clemente, etc. inserted in the set. Also in the front I place a checklist of the set, any other information, etc. Also, if there is a separate set from that year (let's say the 65 embossed) I also place that set in the 65 binder.

Whatever makes one happy!