Master sets of Harry Potter, Trek, Star Wars Etc How to Store?

Riker0007 · 09-17-2019, 11:06 PM

Maybe this has been asked before.
So I have pretty much master sets of every Harry Potter sets, several master sets of marvel, some master sets of star trek, some star wars, big bang master sets etc. and then some really expensive auto/relic cards.
I've had them just stored in penny sleeves in moster boxes or some ultra pro binders or the way the came when I bought them which was a penny sleeve in a top loader or one touch deal. Kinda all over the place. Some had come with nasty tape on the top loader.
Was trying to figure out the best way store and protect them but also be able to look at them without worrying about them getting damaged.
What should I do with the base sets and other chase sets within the master set?
Some of the cards I have are really think.
Any help, insight and/or thoughts would be appreciated.

DynaEtch · 09-19-2019, 12:47 PM

I have always preferred binders for my nonsport master sets (I collect Marvel), especially for the base and ordinary chase. I only make an exception for higher dollar inserts (low serial numbered modern, or like bronze holofoils or the 1995 MM holoflash/mirage, etc ), which I keep toploaded in a separate box. The latter group is pretty small, so most of my Marvel collection is in binders (always Ultra pro platinum 9-pocket pages). Even the thicker newer cards like 2016/2018 MM are in binders for me. I have tried both monster box storage and binders over the years, and have always found myself going back to binders, because of the ability to easily view the cards. Since the cards I collect are art-based in non-sports, the ability to view and enjoy the art is fairly important (contrast maybe, to sports cards). Binders for me are the way to go. Plus with master sets, to have a self-contained binder with the whole set is pretty cool- either official set binders or custom artwork binders can be used to display them. Also I like to put things like promos, uncut sheets etc in the same binder with the master set.

I would like to hear perspectives about the long term safety of storing cards in binders (I realize it's written about so much, but I feel like there is still some ambiguity about this, and I'm not totally sure myself). My thoughts on binders

-use acid-free, non-vinyl based sheets (I always stick to Ultra pro platinum)
-use D-ring, or slant D-ring binder, never round rings
-always one card per slot, not penny-sleeved
-keep the binder at normal full capacity- not too few pages, and not overflowing
-flat storage preferable, so pages don't sag, but probably isn't super important. Flat storage is harder from a space consideration.
-I keep something (like a comic backing board), or promos on top of the pages with cards- in between the pages and the front cover of the binder, so the cover isn't impinging down on the cards as much- probably not necessary.

I've noticed that I actually damage cards less by putting them in a binder slot than putting them in a penny sleeve: it's almost impossible for me to damage a corner sliding it into binder pocket (lifting up the pocket fist, then sliding in- easy to perfect this). Penny sleeves always seem like a small chance of nicking a corner.

Still, I'm concerned with long term storage of the binder cards. One thing being some cards slide up out of the pocket over time (seems to be rare) with top edge exposed...and also how the binder page plastic reacts with the UV-coated marvel cards from the 90s I collect (probably shouldn't be a problem with Ultra pro platinum, but you never know).

One way this can be tested is to observe old collections in binders purchased off eBay . I've noticed the cards, especially uv-coated ones do very badly in old acid-based or vinyl pages, but I don't think I've seen any problems yet with platinum Ultra pro, even if the pages are very old going back to the 90s. I've also noticed that cards don't seem to bow as much in binders, especially with acid free type pages (the weight of the binder stack of pages if stored flat probably helps with this). Bowing seems to be a bigger problem with older cards in white storage boxes- penny sleeved or not- that you buy on eBay. In my experience, cards stored in old binders that I buy off eBay, have generally held up well- more so than the old lots/sets that I buy that come loose or in a box....but I realize there are many other factors at play here.

Would love to hear other inputs about storage.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jyk913 · 09-19-2019, 01:17 PM

I've gone the toploader and long box route for a while but like Dyna I always end up going back to binders. I use ultra pro platinum pages with penny sleeves upside down on every card to avoid the dust, Premium penny sleeves for standard thickness and standard penny sleeves for things like MM16, 18, 17 FUSM. Sadly there are a few things i don't feel comfortable displaying in binders like Marvel gems Focus Frames and Diamond mine cards and I'm still looking for a good way to put these in binders, (considering 4 page sleeves with a custom cut matte board that a toploader sits in so it's snug) but haven't committed yet.

Baremin81 · 09-19-2019, 02:55 PM

I use licensed binders and standard 9 pocket pages for most of my master sets (autos, inserts etc) and also keep some thicker cards like this too (my ghostbusters animated Cel collection for example). But for my most cherished stuff, top loader binders are the best solution for me. I collect sketch cards predominantly and agree that nothing beats getting a binder out to flick through and appreciate the art. Keeping them in top loaders and penny sleeves just adds that extra level of protection and peace of mind. There’s a space saving element too as you can store 1000’s of cards like this and keep them safely tucked away in a draw and away from light etc. Only exception to this is some thicker custom cards I have that won’t fit in the binders and these are penny sleeved in top loaders and sealed in team bags.

09-17-2019, 11:06 PM	#1
Riker0007 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 72	Master sets of Harry Potter, Trek, Star Wars Etc How to Store? Maybe this has been asked before. So I have pretty much master sets of every Harry Potter sets, several master sets of marvel, some master sets of star trek, some star wars, big bang master sets etc. and then some really expensive auto/relic cards. I've had them just stored in penny sleeves in moster boxes or some ultra pro binders or the way the came when I bought them which was a penny sleeve in a top loader or one touch deal. Kinda all over the place. Some had come with nasty tape on the top loader. Was trying to figure out the best way store and protect them but also be able to look at them without worrying about them getting damaged. What should I do with the base sets and other chase sets within the master set? Some of the cards I have are really think. Any help, insight and/or thoughts would be appreciated.

09-19-2019, 12:47 PM	#2
DynaEtch Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 10,009	Master sets of Harry Potter, Trek, Star Wars Etc How to Store? I have always preferred binders for my nonsport master sets (I collect Marvel), especially for the base and ordinary chase. I only make an exception for higher dollar inserts (low serial numbered modern, or like bronze holofoils or the 1995 MM holoflash/mirage, etc ), which I keep toploaded in a separate box. The latter group is pretty small, so most of my Marvel collection is in binders (always Ultra pro platinum 9-pocket pages). Even the thicker newer cards like 2016/2018 MM are in binders for me. I have tried both monster box storage and binders over the years, and have always found myself going back to binders, because of the ability to easily view the cards. Since the cards I collect are art-based in non-sports, the ability to view and enjoy the art is fairly important (contrast maybe, to sports cards). Binders for me are the way to go. Plus with master sets, to have a self-contained binder with the whole set is pretty cool- either official set binders or custom artwork binders can be used to display them. Also I like to put things like promos, uncut sheets etc in the same binder with the master set. I would like to hear perspectives about the long term safety of storing cards in binders (I realize it's written about so much, but I feel like there is still some ambiguity about this, and I'm not totally sure myself). My thoughts on binders -use acid-free, non-vinyl based sheets (I always stick to Ultra pro platinum) -use D-ring, or slant D-ring binder, never round rings -always one card per slot, not penny-sleeved -keep the binder at normal full capacity- not too few pages, and not overflowing -flat storage preferable, so pages don't sag, but probably isn't super important. Flat storage is harder from a space consideration. -I keep something (like a comic backing board), or promos on top of the pages with cards- in between the pages and the front cover of the binder, so the cover isn't impinging down on the cards as much- probably not necessary. I've noticed that I actually damage cards less by putting them in a binder slot than putting them in a penny sleeve: it's almost impossible for me to damage a corner sliding it into binder pocket (lifting up the pocket fist, then sliding in- easy to perfect this). Penny sleeves always seem like a small chance of nicking a corner. Still, I'm concerned with long term storage of the binder cards. One thing being some cards slide up out of the pocket over time (seems to be rare) with top edge exposed...and also how the binder page plastic reacts with the UV-coated marvel cards from the 90s I collect (probably shouldn't be a problem with Ultra pro platinum, but you never know). One way this can be tested is to observe old collections in binders purchased off eBay . I've noticed the cards, especially uv-coated ones do very badly in old acid-based or vinyl pages, but I don't think I've seen any problems yet with platinum Ultra pro, even if the pages are very old going back to the 90s. I've also noticed that cards don't seem to bow as much in binders, especially with acid free type pages (the weight of the binder stack of pages if stored flat probably helps with this). Bowing seems to be a bigger problem with older cards in white storage boxes- penny sleeved or not- that you buy on eBay. In my experience, cards stored in old binders that I buy off eBay, have generally held up well- more so than the old lots/sets that I buy that come loose or in a box....but I realize there are many other factors at play here. Would love to hear other inputs about storage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ~~~ '90s trading cards === Golden Era ~~~

09-19-2019, 01:17 PM	#3
jyk913 Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 94	I've gone the toploader and long box route for a while but like Dyna I always end up going back to binders. I use ultra pro platinum pages with penny sleeves upside down on every card to avoid the dust, Premium penny sleeves for standard thickness and standard penny sleeves for things like MM16, 18, 17 FUSM. Sadly there are a few things i don't feel comfortable displaying in binders like Marvel gems Focus Frames and Diamond mine cards and I'm still looking for a good way to put these in binders, (considering 4 page sleeves with a custom cut matte board that a toploader sits in so it's snug) but haven't committed yet.

09-19-2019, 02:55 PM	#4
Baremin81 Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: UK Posts: 912	I use licensed binders and standard 9 pocket pages for most of my master sets (autos, inserts etc) and also keep some thicker cards like this too (my ghostbusters animated Cel collection for example). But for my most cherished stuff, top loader binders are the best solution for me. I collect sketch cards predominantly and agree that nothing beats getting a binder out to flick through and appreciate the art. Keeping them in top loaders and penny sleeves just adds that extra level of protection and peace of mind. There’s a space saving element too as you can store 1000’s of cards like this and keep them safely tucked away in a draw and away from light etc. Only exception to this is some thicker custom cards I have that won’t fit in the binders and these are penny sleeved in top loaders and sealed in team bags.