How to Preserve Baseball Cards
Since they were first introduced in the mid-1860s, baseball cards have come a long way. They've gone from advertising for businesses and baseball teams to childhood collectibles to a big business. And whether you collect the cards for fun or if you're looking to sell them down the road for a profit, keeping them in the best condition possible is important. How you choose to display them--in a binder or individually--is up to you.
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Things You'll Need
- Three-ring binder
- Trading card pages
- Poly bag card sleeves
- Top load card holders
- Cardboard storage box or display case
- Rubber storage bin with cover
Instructions
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Putting Cards in a Binder
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1
Slide your cards into the protective sheets. Depending on the size of the cards and sheets, you can place up to nine cards (one per slot) or 18 cards (if you place them back to back in each sheet).
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2
Place the sheets into the three-ring binder, making sure you don't overfill the binder. Doing so can place pressure on the cards and damage them.
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3
Place the binders into a rubber storage bin, which will provide further protection from dust, dirt and the elements.
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4
Store your binders of cards in a temperature controlled area where they won't be subjected to heat, humidity and extreme temperature changes.
Putting Cards in Top Loaders
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5
Slide your card into a poly bag card sleeve--or what might be called a "penny sleeve."
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6
Slide the card with the penny sleeve into the top load card holder. These holders have a cut at the top of the holder that allows you to easily put the card into it.
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Place the card--now in the penny sleeve and top loader--into a cardboard storage box or a display case if you want to show off your collection.
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Place the storage boxes into a rubber storage bin. Doing this will help keep your cards from the elements.
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9
Store the box in a temperature controlled area where it will not be exposed to dampness, humidity and extreme temperature changes.
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Tips & Warnings
A story on the art of collecting on mlb.com (see the link in Resources) offers a couple of tips, including:
Always keep cards out of direct sunlight, which can eventually cause their colors to fade.
If you are serious about collecting, consider getting your cards graded by an independent, third-party company like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) or BGS (Beckett Grading Services). They authenticate cards and provide graded conditions that might help you sell your cards quicker.
