How do you feel about the Topps Vault negatives?

[steve B]

If it's one of your favorite items then you haven't overpaid.
One of the guys I learned from told me "you rarely pay too much, just too soon". And taking a long view of collectibles I think he's right. (Of course, for some cards you might be a couple lifetimes early)
Plus there's only one of each one.


Storage of photographic stuff can be really complicated. There are some issues that aren't well understood, but research is catching up.
Essentially cool and dry is best.

Personally I'd make a small mat from some acid free paper to keep the emulsion from contacting the holder.
That being said, I have lots of old negatives that are still in the crummy boxes they were in when I bought them and they're doing fine. I've seen film collections in a lot of different states of storage and condition. Ranging from cool and dry that became junk to stuff in an attic that was beautiful.

The basics are here
http://www.pixmonix.com/tutorials/tu...lm-storage.php

With more details here
http://www.loc.gov/film/storage.html

If you follow the research link at the top of that last one it will take you to some technical papers. That's where most people hit the wall as far as interest goes. I find it fascinating. And the cellulose acetate plastic that's used is somewhat similar to cardboard, both beginning as wood pulp, so some of the science will loosely apply to cards as well.

Steve B

[northsidebaseball]

Originally Posted by steve B

If it's one of your favorite items then you haven't overpaid.
One of the guys I learned from told me "you rarely pay too much, just too soon". And taking a long view of collectibles I think he's right. (Of course, for some cards you might be a couple lifetimes early)
Plus there's only one of each one.


Storage of photographic stuff can be really complicated. There are some issues that aren't well understood, but research is catching up.
Essentially cool and dry is best.

Personally I'd make a small mat from some acid free paper to keep the emulsion from contacting the holder.
That being said, I have lots of old negatives that are still in the crummy boxes they were in when I bought them and they're doing fine. I've seen film collections in a lot of different states of storage and condition. Ranging from cool and dry that became junk to stuff in an attic that was beautiful.

The basics are here
http://www.pixmonix.com/tutorials/tu...lm-storage.php

With more details here
http://www.loc.gov/film/storage.html

If you follow the research link at the top of that last one it will take you to some technical papers. That's where most people hit the wall as far as interest goes. I find it fascinating. And the cellulose acetate plastic that's used is somewhat similar to cardboard, both beginning as wood pulp, so some of the science will loosely apply to cards as well.

Steve B

Thanks alot for the quick education in taking care of these Steve, much appreciated and very interesting threads. I already have it in much safer storage conditions than before. The Williams I bought also came with the original envelope that it was apparently stored in all these years by Topps. It is just a standard long white envelope cut in half inscribed in pencil: Billy Williams 1961 2nd series #141. So it certainly does not appear that Topps took any extraordinary efforts to preserve these. Thanks again for help

[steve B]

Hold on to that envelope as well. I think it's pretty cool to have a link like that to how Topps handled stuff in the office.

The print shop I worked for kept the masks for the plates for a few years but merely laid them out on open shelves with sheets of paper in between.

It's sometimes tough to decide on storage. Metal cans aren't great for movie film, but when I've got a 1950's football TV show still in the original can and fiberboard mailing box with the TV station label it's hard to split them up.
My friend who collects films doesn't have that problem, he splits them up unless they're sports and I want them.

Steve B

Yes, I'm a bit nuts. Most of the mail away cards I have are still either in or stored with the original box or envelope. 100 years from now someone may make a nice find.

[Mark70Z]

Clint... I don't think you overpaid at all @ $300 for a FINAL B. Williams negative. Again, congrats on the pickup! I "assume" you're a Cubs fan; have you seen some of the awesome Ernie Banks negatives that have been coming up for sale? I'm really not a Cubs fan per se, but some of the negatives that have come up for sale in the past were very cool items. I find myself bidding on some player negatives that I don't even collect the individual, but the negative is so nice. Problem is I haven't come out on top on any of the one's that I have bid!

Appreciate the input from Steve B. and Exibitman concerning storage and protection issues.

You mentioned ultimately finding the Ron Santo RC negative; I'm unsure if that particular one has come up in the Topps Vault auctions or not, but I have noticed an individual on ebay that has quite a few Santo items for sale (tyweb1). It looks like he collects Santo as well and may have some feedback on the rookie negative. I see he has some of the Topps Vault items for sale although not the FINAL negatives. Thought it may be worth a try to contact this individual.

I'd love to see other pickups from the Topps Vault that forum members have picked up!!!