subject: Four Great Methods Of Handling, Storing And Protecting Your Valuable Sports Cards [print this page] To protect your valuable cards from damage and preserve their worth, you must cautiously hold your sports cards at the edges with clean hands, keep your valuable cards away from sunlight and moisture, protect your valuable sports cards with thicker cases, and also arrange your sports cards in boxes.
A card that isn't in pristine condition will loose it's selling power Maintaining the original condition is of paramount importance to maintain the cards' value. Store and handle your valuable sports cards in a way that will help them stay valuable by following these easy tips:
Handle your sports cards carefully by holding them by their edges only, with clean hands.
The first thing you can do to protect your valuable sports cards is to hold them in the proper manner. Not on their back or face, but on their edges, take hold of the cards, with clean hands. This is important to be certain that corners remain sharp and that there are few other instances of damage. Your sports cards will be free from unsightly disfigurations if you handle it carefully.
Keep your valuable cards away from sunlight and moisture
Sunlight and moisture can cause your cards to fade and discolor. Autographed sports cards are more susceptible to fading so like your other cards, you should always protect them from sunlight. Also do not expose them to humid and moist places that can cause the cards to be damaged, discolored, and degraded. Other collectors put desiccants inside their display cabinets and storage boxes, such as silica gel, in order to control moisture in the container and keep valuable sports cards in great condition.
Make sure you get thick cases to protect your cards
Plastic sleeves provide basic protection, but harder cases are necessary to protect your cards for the long haul. Some of the more commonly used holders for sports cards are listed here.
Machine that loads from the top. A sleeve is thinner and more flimsy than a top-loader. It is often used to protect sports cards from getting bent and creased. The drawback with a top-loader, however, is that dust and other particles can get inside. The card will slip because of the loose fit. If you are using a top-loader, use a resealable bag that will envelop the whole top-loader.
A card holder that is somewhat flexible Though still thicker than the common sleeves, this plastic case is more flexible than a top-loader. A perfect fit is very important when protecting sports cards during the shipping process. The display case looks great holding your collectibles.
A card holder held down by screws This sports card case is made of hard clear plastic that protects your valuable cards from creases, bends, scratches, and almost all damage. The card is locked into the case by using screws in the four corners. When choosing a case, be warned that there have been cases where the design stuck to the case, especially after being in one for a long time. Be careful to choose a case of the correct thickness for your cards.
Case that attracts like magnet. A different option from the screw-down style holder would be the magnetic case. It offers comparable protection to the screw-down holder, however instead of the four screws locking the card, it only uses one circular magnet on the upper part of the case. It's a good option for displaying valuable sports cards because of its design feature.
Acrylic holder. This is both the most costly and the thickest of all the sports card cases available. It offers the ultimate protection for your valuable sports cards with up to an inch of acrylic.
You should use boxes to organize your sports cards
valuable cards that you wish to keep on display should be organized and kept safe in a box. A simple box such as one that held shoes will work or you can purchase a more specific type of card holder from a sports memorabilia shop. Using one of the available sorting trays may help you to organize your collection. Never store valuable sports cards in your box without any protection. Consistently use a top-loader to keep your most valuable cards safe. Plastic sleeves are sufficient storage for your other collectible sports cards.
They make for a priceless collection and a valuable investment, these sports cards. You always put in the work needed to keep the value of your cards up regardless of what your reasons for collecting them are.
