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Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 15 May 2014, 19:28
by Lew Stringer
Peter Gray wrote:Do people own tatty comics...ripped pages...cut up sections coupons..drawn on..
Doesn't have to be too tatty...But they are not worth anything other than for reading...I'm wondering if to get rid of them at a charity shop...and just keep the perfect ones..will be hard to do...But from then on collect in a different way...trying to go for more better conditions..
These will be put in the boxes I'm buying..

I have a few tatty Beanos from when I was very young, but otherwise all the comics are in nice condition. (I replaced ones I threw away or cut out pin ups from years ago.)

The key is; would you really miss them if you parted with them? Personally, the only ones I would miss are the ones I have a sentimental and nostalgic attachment to. Stories that trigger happy memories of my childhood. Plus the ones I've been published in.
You may be attached to certain comics for different reasons. Save those.

The rest I could live without because I doubt I'll read them a second time, so every now and then I have a sort out and get rid. Time was when I'd save everything, but not now. No point hoarding comics you'll never look at a second time. Life's too short.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 15 May 2014, 20:23
by Phoenix
Lew Stringer wrote:Time was when I'd save everything, but not now. No point hoarding comics you'll never look at a second time. Life's too short.
Well that wouldn't be a wise move where I'm concerned, Lew, because I have no idea now which story papers, comics or books I might want to reread in the future, and I certainly don't have a crystal ball. They'll just have to stay where they are.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 15 May 2014, 20:38
by Lew Stringer
Phoenix wrote:
Lew Stringer wrote:Time was when I'd save everything, but not now. No point hoarding comics you'll never look at a second time. Life's too short.
Well that wouldn't be a wise move where I'm concerned, Lew, because I have no idea now which story papers, comics or books I might want to reread in the future, and I certainly don't have a crystal ball. They'll just have to stay where they are.
I used to think that way too, but then when I realised it had been ten, or twenty years or more since I read some issues and hadn't the slightest inclination to read them again, I decided it was time to chuck them out. Of course, it's all down to personal experience. Comics from pre-1975, yes, I've looked through/re-read those several times and will do so again so I keep those. Ones after that? Never read them since the day I bought them, so every few years I get rid of the more 'modern' ones (with a few exceptions such as the first 200 issues of 2000ad, or certain comics that friends have written/drawn). I've never regretted it, but as I say, it's personal choice.

Back on topic, I used to bag and board American comics, but not any more. I have the first year of TV21 bagged, but not the rest. They've all survived ok in the same condition. Bagging isn't necessary in my opinion, but each to their own. I suspect I'll crumble to dust long before the comics. :lol:

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 17 May 2014, 08:29
by Peter Gray
Thank you both for different views on the subject...I'll do a bit of both...

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 17 May 2014, 12:45
by Lew Stringer
Peter Gray wrote:Thank you both for different views on the subject...I'll do a bit of both...
Do whatever you think is best for yourself, Peter. We can only speak from our own perspectives. :up:

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 01:24
by geoff42
bagging comics solely would contain a packed pile of comics from "print contamination". I discovered this term in my early days. Years and years of stock piling comics upon each other, and the print runs into the comic underneath ( especially in an area that is humid and without air condition). Boards supply a spine to a comic and prevents "spine rolling". Always keeps comics vertical to maintain shape, preferably within a bag. Without a board, they will slump and cause distortion. A backing board is required for an essential collection for each individual comic. It is expensive to maintain. If you are really fastidious, invest in a dehumidifier where your comics are stored, and combat the natural damp elements within your home. Since I bought such an appliance, I have been really amazed at how much condensation hangs in a house - approximately five pints of water every week. That ain't good for anyone's collection. And I'm fairly certain the dehumidifier isn't 100% effective. And there's the acid free storage boxes that are available for a collection to be stored in - and they are not cheap. It really is an expensive endeavour but, by god, I love it.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 01:39
by big bad bri
I would need to win the lottery to bag ,board & box my entire comic collection :lol: I have 1000's beano's, dandy's etc that are just sitting on shelves that will never get done i just want to bag & board my ipc funnies & roy of the rovers etc but i doubt i will ever be able to afford to do those even & i will prob get bored or have to sell collection long before that project would ever get finished.not to mention my American comics which i used to religiously bag & board but that went by the wayside when i got back into collecting British Comics again.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 01:47
by geoff42
I always keep falling behind as regards bagging and boarding every comic. It really is expensive. My advice, Bri, just keep up with your IPC funnies and do what you can with your other items... until you win the lottery.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 10:34
by Lew Stringer
geoff42 wrote:bagging comics solely would contain a packed pile of comics from "print contamination". I discovered this term in my early days. Years and years of stock piling comics upon each other, and the print runs into the comic underneath ( especially in an area that is humid and without air condition).
I must admit I've never heard of that before and can't find any reference to it in the way you describe. Had most of my comics stacked flat all my life and it hasn't happened to any of them. How does the bag stop the interior pages from print contamination?

As for preventing spine roll, stack every other issue the other way up so it balances out.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 13:20
by Phoenix
geoff42 wrote:Always keeps comics vertical to maintain shape, preferably within a bag. Without a board, they will slump and cause distortion. A backing board is required for an essential collection for each individual comic. It is expensive to maintain. If you are really fastidious, invest in a dehumidifier where your comics are stored, and combat the natural damp elements within your home. Since I bought such an appliance, I have been really amazed at how much condensation hangs in a house - approximately five pints of water every week. That ain't good for anyone's collection. And I'm fairly certain the dehumidifier isn't 100% effective. And there's the acid free storage boxes that are available for a collection to be stored in - and they are not cheap. It really is an expensive endeavour but, by god, I love it.
If I were in your position, Geoff, I'd be wracked with guilt at having failed to buy the expensive, top-of-the-range humidifier because I would never again be able to persuade myself to extract a single story paper or comic from its bag, and I must mention here that I'm not unaware that I am failing to take into account the potential damage to the backing board which would surely occur, and possibly increase, with each subsequent extraction. One way to salvage something would be to prepare an exhibition in your house of bagged and boarded comic covers, with open access to the general public on six days a week, rather like a museum but with a nominal entrance fee. As you seem to have plenty of comics you will be able to replace all the exhibits every couple of weeks or so. I would advise you to keep a close eye on the ambient lighting though, as you obviously wouldn't want any of your exhibits to fade.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 16:14
by Marionette
Alternatively you could have your entire collection slabbed, thus ensuring that they will always remain in pristine condition. With just the very minor drawback that you'll never be able to read them again, but that is surely a minor consideration.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 20 May 2014, 16:16
by Lew Stringer
Just to add to the discussion, a new blog post from me:

http://lewstringer.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... omics.html

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 21 May 2014, 00:31
by Peter Gray
I thinking sealing a comic like a gold bar graded is so stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Comics are then just money...

A safe box would be better...and read with white gloves...But never seal it up..

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 21 May 2014, 00:59
by geoff42
ha-ha, nice one phoenix. I would love to open up a museum dedicated to British comics (seriously), but I haven't the know-how or the money. Where my comics are stored, I prohibit sunlight altogether. I do generally extract my comics to inject nostalgia. Boards and bags would obviously need to be replaced down the years... oh, the expense! Any advice on a museum, I'm open to suggestions by the way.

Re: Bags & boards

Posted: 21 May 2014, 01:06
by geoff42
hi, lew, as regards "print contamination", I think the true term is "bleeding" where the print from one comic literally bleeds into the one underneath or top when they are stored horizontally. By the way, I read your blog as regards Fury - Marvel UK; enjoyed it. Ironically, I've just purchased the first three issues for £6 in good condition. The Silver Acre first issue is still up for grabs but the price is obviously putting people off. Always enjoy your posts.