Need a little of advice on a Carmelo Deportivo album

[Northviewcats]

Originally Posted by Jason19th

I feel the need to weigh in and ask why are we so quick to soak these albums. Its not like we are talking about a scrapbook or cards that are randomly attached to some old paper. These are cards that are in the exact state that they are supposed to be. They are tiny and fragile cards that were meant to be put in the album. Why are we so quick to want to release them so they can be put into holders. I think that these albums are beautiful items that look a lot better then a collection of cards. So my vote (I know no one asked for my vote) would be to keep them as is -- why take any chance harming them if they look great as is

Hi Jason,

Thanks for your opinion, I do value it. You are correct that the cards are currently in the state that they were meant to be displayed in. I do appreciate this. In fact it was my intent when I purchased the item to keep the cards in the album.

My concern is the condition of the album itself. Its pretty fragile. It has only been in my possession for a week, and the couple of times that I have turned the pages small flakes on the edges of the pages have broken off. The cards are in pretty good shape, but the pages are stained and in places show what looks like mildew. There are five or six valuable cards in the set (Dihigo, Brown, Dandridge, Minoso, & Tiant) and I wonder if they would be better preserved if they were in graded holders. The common cards would still look nice in top loaders.

I also thought of separating the album into pages and place them into protective plastic sleeves and a binder. In this way I could preserve some of the integrity of the album and still enjoy looking at them without having the pages flake off in my hands.

Perhaps other collectors may have other suggestions.

I posted a couple more pictures; it would be great to see more collectors take interest in the Cuban cards. Also a great way to collect players from the Negro leagues.

Thanks,

Joe

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Northviewcats

I also thought of separating the album into pages and place them into protective plastic sleeves and a binder. In this way I could preserve some of the integrity of the album and still enjoy looking at them without having the pages flake off in my hands.

If this was mine, that's probably what I would do, even though it seems kind of bad, in a way. I definitely (definitely,definitely) would not soak the cards off, but that's just me.

Doug

[ElCabron]

For the record, even though you've described it as being in rough shape, based on the pictures you posted, this album actually appears to be in very nice condition. Definitely above average. Keep in mind, if you had to pick the worst climates for preservation of paper ephemera, Cuba would be right near the top of the list. It's very common for albums to have a lot of damage to the covers, and very often to the interior pages as well. For this one, both the album and the cards seem to be in nice shape. Maybe that's a factor in deciding whether or not to keep intact?

-Ryan

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ElCabron

For the record, even though you've described it as being in rough shape, based on the pictures you posted, this album actually appears to be in very nice condition. Definitely above average. Keep in mind, if you had to pick the worst climates for preservation of paper ephemera, Cuba would be right near the top of the list. It's very common for albums to have a lot of damage to the covers, and very often to the interior pages as well. For this one, both the album and the cards seem to be in nice shape. Maybe that's a factor in deciding whether or not to keep intact?

-Ryan

Hopefully a nice one won't be cut up but if it is, it is. Maybe the value of a nice one, fully intact, is worth it to keep that way, since I would think they are scarce. Good luck to the OP..