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Post Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:21 pm 
 

Hello -

New member to The Acaeum, I lurked for a few months, but have recently started collecting in a more concerted way.

I read all of the information on storage, a good refresher for an older comic book collector like myself.  I also searched the forums for any updated information and surprisingly didn't find answers to some basic questions.  

I was hoping I could pose a few questions and get some best practice guidance from other collectors?  

Bags for box sets and standard 1st edition hardcovers - Looking at 10 x 13 Mylites2 from E. Gerber Products, LLC. - Item Listing.  The dimensions are tricky and I was wondering what people use for their box sets or hardcovers?  I am not sure I see value in using a backing board in this instance given what is being protected (less concerned about rigidity), what do others do?  Other venders besides E Gerber that people recommend?  This would seem to be a direct order and I am trying to manage my funds to put more to collecting obviously.

Bags for modules - haven't really gone down this road and purchased one.  Settling on a quality level I want to collect has been more my challenge.  But eventually I will take the plunge and purchase some.  What size bags and (I assume) boards sizes are you using to store the typical 1st edition TSR modules?  

Boxes for modules - further on the same subject, how do people who don't shelve their modules store them?  What have you found to be both safe, durable, and cost effective?  Suppliers?  

Any help or response to get me pointed in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.  This is a great repository of information to begin with and I am grateful for having found this community.

  


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Post Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 4:07 pm 
 

Hola! Welcome!

Box sets fit well in these.

Golden State Art, Pack of 100 11 1/4 x 14 1/8 Clear Bags for 11x14 Mat Matting

Any Ultra Pro or BCW Magazine size bags and boards will store modules well. They are about $30 for 100 of each.

I have purchase those plastic boxes off ebay, the thin, folded flat, storage boxes. They are supper tight. They are good for display, but you wouldnt want to take the box out once its in.

Edit: Changes $300 to $30. :)

  

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Post Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2023 4:27 pm 
 

I bag and board my modules and then store them in Magazine Boxes in my closet.  It's not pretty, but effective.  Most of all, it keeps the wife happy not routinely seeing stuff she thinks is weird.  Some box sets are so large, I use Life Magazine bags to store them.

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Post Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:40 pm 
 

Great, thank you for the magazine bag and board suggestions for modules.  That would seem to work and I know those are relatively easy to find from various vendors.

The Golden State Art Clear Bags appear to be made out of polyethylene, and though they would certainly fit box sets, I worry about long term storage.  Have you had any problem in that area?  Is there a known mylar option?

Thanks for the welcome!

  

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Post Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 3:17 pm 
 

This topic has come up many times in the past.

Here's a thread that might be helpful:

Bagged For Your Protection

Using the "Search" function above and entering words such as "storage", "magazine bags", "storage bags" under "Search for keywords" should provider a plethora of posts with additional information.

  


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Post Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:57 am 
 

Thanks for all the direction.  I spent a good deal of time sifting through threads old and new and gathered and condensed information I found useful from the fantastic collectors here who shared their practical knowledge.  I am listing it here as it might be a good starting point for the next new collector.  It should save them time following dead links at the minimum.  This is the common advice I pulled from multiple threads.  Don't consider this list the be all end all on how to store and preserve your collection.  Just a good start hopefully!

GENERAL BAG SIZE GUIDELINES:
-        Mylar preferred in all instances.  Polypropylene bags will deteriorate in 3-5 years and will need to be replaced.
-        Regular comic bags (Traveler and OD&D)
-        Silver Age comic bags (Wizard’s Spell Compendium)
-        Thick Magazine sized bags (Modules and most accessory books) 8 7/8” x 11” is what you want.
-        Sheet Music sized bags (Hardcover and large softcover books and thin box sets)
-        Treasury sized bags (Small Box sets – Basic, Expert, and Spelljammer)
-        Life Magazine sized bags (Mid – sized Box sets – Council of Wyrms, Hellbound, Return to Tomb of Horrors, Nights Below)
-        Maybe a ziplock bag for large – sized Box sets like Menzoberranzan and Planes of Conflict & Law)
-        Suggest bagging and boarding all modules and magazines at a minimum.  Some board HCs as well.  

Calcium buffered archival backing boards.  Shiny side should be facing the product.  That is the treated side and will absorb acid.  
A suggestion to stuff box sets with large bubble wrap to prevent the lid from cupping.
Wood Grain Box Storage: Clear Lid Boxes with Clear Case  uline.com/Product/Detail/S-10578/Retail ... -5-3-8-x-1   Otherwise store flat to avoid shelf wear, maybe bag the books separately with acid-free boards.
Book Storage Bags but not Mylar - https://www.bcwsupplies.com/10x13-book-bags

LONG TERM STORAGE:
STERILITE 32qt gasket boxes.  Have larger sizes.  Some have groves to hold hanging file folders which you can use to hold 4 or 5 modules each.  Can line boxes with cardboard as these boxes have a ridge that runs along the bottom.  This would prevent damage of stored materials.
The 66 qt / 16.5 gallon STERILITE box holds hardcovers upright.  Goes on sales at Target for $5.99 at times.  target.com/p/sterilite-66qt-clearview-l ... nk=sametab
Store books by standing them up in the box or tote.  Do not store spine up or down.  It can shift the text block.
This Storex Portable File Storage box holds 40 modules, stackable, keeps light out.  amazon.com/Storex-File-Storage-Transluc ... amp;sr=8-8
Box set storage (about 3 can fit in these): Gaylord Archival Flip-top Document Case  gaylord.com/Preservation/Document-Prese ... p/HYB02293

SUPPLIERS OF BAGS, BOARDS, OR STORAGE BOXES:
Bags Unlimited: https://www.bagsunlimited.com/
Ultra Pro: https://ultrapro.com/
BCW: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/
EGerber: https://www.egerber.com/
Bill Cole Enterprises: https://bcemylar.com/
Light Impressions: http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/archival-boxes/
Container Store: https://www.containerstore.com/welcome.htm
Clear Bags: https://www.clearbags.com/ - 16 ¼” x 20 1/16” + flap, Crystal Clear Bags [B16S]; 17 13/16” x 32 3/8” Premium Protective Closure Bags [PEC4080].  Use these for larger box sets.

  

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Post Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 6:09 am 
 

I love this post but I really struggle with finding this stuff in the UK.

does anyone have some tips for UK (London specifically) on how to get this.

With Mylar - and clearly I am not using it currently - can you get clear bags? I guess I look at my collection a lot and like whatever comic book bags I use currently. If I could not display or look at them then I don't think would stay in the business - though also mindful that valuable things need protection.

Finally, for a 4th edition white box - does anyone know a UK source for this? I have this + 20 or so other box sets (all the planescape ones & about 10+ basic sets of various versions).

I guess for more expensive modules I could get them graded to get them in a box and 'viewable'

  


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Post Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 6:50 am 
 

I have bought bags (including Mylar) from Mega City Comics in Camden which is always a fun trip. I think more recently I ordered them online.

For longer term storage, I use Really Useful Boxes which you can get from any Rymans

Really Useful Boxes | Really Useful Storage Boxes | Ryman® UK

Using backing boards and sometimes mylar to protect items inside. For any older, rarer, box sets I will unpack the contants and store them separately - but generaly I don't and I do wonder if, over time, the contents bend and sag if the boxes are stored upright.

Not sure we can do slabbing here. Honestly, I am on the fence if third party grading is for me, but I was intrigued and called the CGC office in London. They told me that they do not take submissions for games and said that instead I post whatever parts of my collection I want graded to some CGC office in the US (making sure I cover import duties etc.. ), to which I thought, errm, thanks but no thanks :lol:


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Post Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 7:25 am 
 

I found these on amazon.co.uk. I was shocked at the price though. 32 quid-pound-ducats or whatever. Thats a lot.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Non-Resealable ... th=1&psc=1

  

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Post Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 12:07 pm 
 

The 10 x 13 are great for hardcovers with it handling even the largest ones like the 2E monstrous books.

-SKA

  

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Post Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 1:02 pm 
 

red_bus wrote in Storage bags suggestions:I have bought bags (including Mylar) from Mega City Comics in Camden which is always a fun trip. I think more recently I ordered them online.

For longer term storage, I use Really Useful Boxes which you can get from any Rymans

Really Useful Boxes | Really Useful Storage Boxes | Ryman® UK

Using backing boards and sometimes mylar to protect items inside. For any older, rarer, box sets I will unpack the contants and store them separately - but generaly I don't and I do wonder if, over time, the contents bend and sag if the boxes are stored upright.

Not sure we can do slabbing here. Honestly, I am on the fence if third party grading is for me, but I was intrigued and called the CGC office in London. They told me that they do not take submissions for games and said that instead I post whatever parts of my collection I want graded to some CGC office in the US (making sure I cover import duties etc.. ), to which I thought, errm, thanks but no thanks :lol:


Thanks!

Live in the area so should just pop around to camden instead of doing everything online!

Thanks for all the other tips. I think i'll probably just have to buy the White Box box from the USA next time I'm over!

  
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