Chances are you've spent quite a bit of time and money building your comic book collection with love. There is no reason why it should be damaged: as long as the books are sealed and stored correctly they will withstand the ravages of time. Close each book in a plastic bag and support it with an acid-free cardboard backing. This way it will be ready to be displayed or stored indefinitely.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Seal the comic books
Step 1. Protect comics in plastic bags
Enclosing the books in special envelopes will be more than enough to keep their conditions intact. Purchase them from a comic or hobby store or online; When you do, keep in mind these three main dimensions that comics can have:
- Current dimensions (from 1980 to today): 17.6x26.5 cm.
- Original American Silver Age Comics (1950-1980): 18x26, 5 cm.
- Original American Golden Age comics (pre-1950): 19.7x26.5cm.
Step 2. Prevent creasing by inserting cardboard backing into envelopes
Cardboard backing can also be purchased at most comic and hobby stores. Make sure you check that what you buy is acid-free. A cardboard containing acids probably won't give your comics superpowers, it will just damage them.
Step 3. Seal the rarest comics in hard cases
Hard cases will cost you a couple of euros each, if not more. For this reason, it is worth using them only to preserve rare or valuable books. Purchase such cases at comic and hobby stores.
Hard cases will be easier and safer to display. You may be able to attach an adhesive hook to the case, so you can hang the comic on a wall
Step 4. Safeguard the value of comics with high quality certifications and cases
To do this you will need to submit your book to a recognized authority in rare and vintage comics. It will be returned to you safely sealed in a plastic case with its condition certified by an expert.
Any comic that is certified and placed in such a case should carry a protective hologram and barcode. In case of tampering or damage, the certification lapses
Method 2 of 3: Maintain your Comic Book Collection
Step 1. Store standard editions in cardboard boxes
Cardboard is cheap and strong enough as long as it's kept dry, which makes it ideal for less important books. Place the wrapped books in the boxes so that they stand upright. Avoid acid-treated cardboard boxes and don't overfill them or you could cause damage.
- In general, you should leave enough space in a box that you can comfortably separate the comics with your fingers to read the titles, but not so much that the books won't stand upright.
- Use a bookend or paperweight to hold the comics in place in the half-full boxes. Damage could occur if you allow the books to roam inside the boxes.
Step 2. Use plastic containers instead of the valuable comic carton
Plastic containers generally offer a little more protection than cardboard ones. They are also more resistant to water damage, and some may even feature an airtight seal to protect your comics from the elements.
Comics should be stored in plastic containers as you would in cardboard ones: stable and well upright, but not too tight
Step 3. Keep the comics away from sunlight and atmospheric elements
Sunlight causes pages to yellow and ink to fade. Too much moisture or dry heat, on the other hand, causes the paper to warp or become brittle. A cool, dry and dark storage will keep your comics in the best condition for a long time.
Step 4. Avoid stacking containers and placing them on the floor
Comic book damage often occurs when tall piles of containers collapse; if you can, avoid stacking them. Also, keeping them off the floor with small plastic pallets or crates avoids potential water damage.
Even a concrete surface that stays dry all the time will conduct cold and draw moisture to your comics
Method 3 of 3: Further Protect the Registers
Step 1. Always handle comics with clean hands
If you are a collector, this must be your number one rule. After all, a speck of dust or a smudge of chocolate could drastically reduce the value of your collector's book. Likewise, ask friends or potential buyers to wash their hands before touching the comics.
You may feel uncomfortable making this simple request, but remember that you have spent a lot of time and effort building your collection. Try saying, "This comic is pretty rare, would you mind washing your hands before touching it?"
Step 2. Check your storage space
Temperatures that are too hot or too cold could damage the glue of the binding of some comics or cause the quality of the paper to change unnaturally. Moisture, as you probably already know, is another enemy your comic needs to be protected from.
- A dehumidifier placed in your comic store is a great way to ensure low humidity, ideal for the good health of the books.
- An indoor storage might be your best bet if you are concerned about the condition of your collection. It will be much easier for you to control the climate.
Step 3. Keep the comics in a filing cabinet
A filing cabinet keeps your collection of bagged books well organized and protected from damage. If you have a lockable filing cabinet, you will also decrease the chance of the comics stored inside being stolen from you.
Step 4. Secure your really valuable numbers in a safe deposit box
These books should still be wrapped and have cardboard backing, at a minimum. However, if a comic is rare enough to be kept in a safe, you should try to get it certified and put it in a high-quality hard protective case.
Advice
- Silver Age and Golden Age books are much easier to yellow and more susceptible to abuse due to the paper they were printed on at the time. The new books are printed on acid-free paper, so unless they are regularly exposed to light, water or fire, they will require less careful care.
- It is very easy to scratch mylar. If you often handle your collection, you may find that the mylar bags begin to discolour. This doesn't affect their efficiency, but if you decide to sell a comic, you'd better buy a new envelope.
