Storage question

[ALR-bishop]

I have my Topps sets, 1948 and 1951 to 2010, and Fleer 1923 and 1959 to 2006 in sheets in binders. I like to be able to have easy access to them all. But I am strictly a collector. If keeping them for investment or sale potential, I don't recommend it.

[theseeker]

Why are cards held in sheets in binders not recommended for investment purposes? Most collectors have the same demands on preservation as do investors.

[Exhibitman]

Cards take a beating in binders unless you use layers of holders. I use Cardsaver I holders in four-pocket sheets inside clamshell binders. Not the most efficient for large sets (fortunately not my thing) but very secure for thumbing through.

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by theseeker

Why are cards held in sheets in binders not recommended for investment purposes? Most collectors have the same demands on preservation as do investors.

Did not mean to be critical of keeping cards in sheets in binders. That is how I do it. But I collect ungraded cards and like to have ongoing access to them in the binders. So the binders get opened and the pages turned a lot. Plus even putting them in the sheets when full sets are involved can involve risk. Being careful can minimize risk, but when you have lot of sets ( around 200 in my case) even a few careless slides can be costly if investment grade cards are an important goal.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I tried binders years ago, but they always leave the top of the cards exposed (on the top row) as they do not fit all the way down into the pocket and leave the cards susceptible to dings. Why Ultra Pro can't seem to fix this problem after all these years I'll never know. Anyway, I have 2 different storage methods depending on the year/value of the set. Both examples are shown below. Please excuse the bad photos - they were taken with my camera phone.

Here is my method of storage for a lower value set. This is a '78 Topps set in NM-MT+ raw condition.

The cards are placed in an 800 count box.


I use a spacer before and after the last cards to protect them from dings. These were from some Upper Deck (I believe) product that I got from my local card shop. He saves them for me and I use them for shipping or whatever.


Minor rookies and lesser HOFers are placed in penny sleeves.


Those are placed at the back of the set.


All cards are pushed together and held tightly in place taking up any extra space in the box. The cards should not slide. You can use waded up newspaper or whatever you choose. I've used plastic grocery bags in the pics below.


The major rookies and more popular HOFers are placed in Ultra Pro semi rigid top loaders and this is what it looks like as I close it up.



For more expensive sets, I place each individual card in Ultra Pro semi rigid top loaders and they are stored in vault boxes as shown with my 1954 Topps set below. If the set is too big for a vault box, you can always use the shoe boxes (2 row).


Any extra space is filled so that the cards do not slide.


The lid is placed on top and it is stored away.

[MooseWithFleas]

Nicely done, very cool way of storing them and avoiding the bend factor you tend to get in boxes. I still like putting my cards in the 9-sleevers so I can page through them. Unfortunately some of my cards have taken a bit of a beating on the top from it.

[toppcat]

I always loaded my 800 count boxed sets with some overproduced cards front and back to reduce the risk of corner dings. I may have to rethink my binder storage for a couple of sets after reading this thread.

[frankhardy]

I have Topps Sets from 1974 to 2010 all in binders and 9 pocket pages. I cover the top of them so dust doesn't get in them. I just like to have easy access. I don't see the problem. My older sets isn't in high grade though, but even if they were, I think I would still store them the same way.