Rotman plastic sheets?

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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

All you folks who only deal in graded cards can skip this one:

Right now I have my ungraded M116s in older 15-pocket plastic sheets -- the brand name is Rotman. I'm using them because the Ultra-Pro sheets are a little too snug for a full-sized M116 -- very snug, in fact. They'll go in but I worry that the squeeze will create creases.

I'm a bit worried because compared to the newer sheets, the Rotmans seem sort of greasy or sticky, for no obvious reason. I have no idea if they're acid-free, etc. Very little info on the net about them.

Question #1: should I get the cards out of there, pronto, before Rotman melts them?

#2: If I stick the cards in ordinary acid-free plastic sheets, will the plastic loosen up over time into a good fit, or will the tightness put continued pressure on the cards and crease them?

#3 is there any way to slightly loosen or enlarge a plastic sheet (by heating or some other method?)

Thanks!

Tim

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Posted By: William Brumbach

I have older sheets that I still use as well, probably about 20-years-old now. Well, not that 1985 is old, but, nevermind. None of mine are sticky or gloopy, that doesn't sound good.

Newer Ultra-Pro sheets will stretch over time if the fit is tight. I have only done this with thicker new cards however, so the risk with anything else is up to you regarding any possible corner damage by trying to stuff slighter larger cards into tight pockets.

Heating probably isn't a good idea because the sheets will wrinkle when they cool down. Having done more than my fair share of flea markets in the past I have seen the effects of the full spectrum of weather on plastic sheets of all makes and models and I highly recommend against any sort of heating or freezing of the sheets. Hot plastic smells funny.

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Posted By: Julie

every five years. Subway stamp shop: 1-800-221-9960; 814-946-1000. I also get Mylar sheaths from normal to newspaper size from Mark Macrae, and acid-free board backing, from big comic book stores and art stores for super big things.





Only stuff from 1970 on is in those old plastic sheets.

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Posted By: tbob

Long time collectors will tell you horror stories of the plastic bleeding in to and ruining the cards. The first sign things are going south is when the pocket pages start feeling soft and maybe a little liquidy (for lack of a better term).

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Posted By: dan mckee

Tim, my sheets that most of my expensives sets are in are all from the 1970s and early 80s. Without sunlight, I see no problem in these older sheets. Mine have stayed nice, they are stiffer than todays, yet they still protect my prize possessions. To hell with graded cards!

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Posted By: jay behrens

I believe Rotmans was the first company to make PVC free sheets. My 1971 and 72 sets are in Rotman sheets that I bought in 1981. There are no signs of anything going bad with the sheets.

Jay

My place is full of valuable, worthless junk.