Comic Book Supplies, Necessities of the Serious Collector

If you want to keep your comic book collection in tiptop shape, comic book supplies will become part of your collecting life. As soon as a magazine is printed there are natural environmental forces going to work to try and destroy the ink and the paper. You have put in a lot of time, effort and enjoyment in acquiring all your comics. You don't want them to turn back to the dust and elements from which they came do you?

Elements such as humidity, temperature, pollutants, human skin oils and even the chemicals of the printed materials themselves, will start to deteriorate and discolor your comic books from day one. Tools that have been developed over the years to help us combat these natural forces are de-acidification paper, polymer type storage bags, stiff backing material, storage boxes and desiccants (dehumidification materials). Not only will these comic book supplies protect your comics for your own enjoyment, they will add to reinforce the future value of each comic book.

Most all of these supplies can typically be located down at your local comic book shop. But as I have discovered lately, there can be a world of difference in preservation abilities depending on what materials are used in the manufacture of comic book supplies. Quite typically what you may find downtown will be of sufficient protective quality to protect your comics for quite a while. Although, polybags, to put your comics into, are quite common and fairly cheap, Mylar bags are definitely the way to go. They will protect for 100 years (that may be a little overboard) as opposed to 2 or 3 years for poly.

There has been a lot of elaborate science, particularly chemistry, which has gone into preservation material manufacturing the last several years. MicroChamber material has been developed that will increase preservation from de-acidification and environmental breakdown for a vastly superior time period as opposed to typical materials available today. Beware though, comic book supplies manufactured with this new material can become quite costly. But if you have some serious collector's items, which you feel are worth a significant amount of cash, isn't the investment worth it? It is also no secret that CGC uses these materials in every comic book they grade.

I have created a page at my comic book site, which incorporates links to some rather technical scientific articles on preservation and using MicroChamber materials. You can read an in-depth discussion at www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-supplies.html . Be forewarned though, You may need a moderate understanding of chemistry and physics to completely follow some of the discussions. But the articles will open your eyes to what is available in the comic book industry for preservation supplies these days.

Now if you have a rather rare back issue that may well have a high dollar value, here is a process worth considering. De-acidification products are usually used to neutralize acids in the paper prior to storage of most paper products of a pulp nature. This is not to be taken lightly, as it is considered by most to be an extensive form of restoration. The current understanding of the process is that the staples are removed and the sheets are submerged, film developer style, in a bath of de-acidification material. Then the entire book is rebuilt with new staples. This process can cost around $50 per comic book, when done by a professional, but will restore and increase the life expectancy of your comic book by many years. This process, in my opinion, should only be considered for already deteriorated comics that may have a considerable future worth if restored.

One final item to consider, especially if you live in a high humidity area is the use of descants within your storage boxes. A desiccant is a chemical sieve for water, and is available for industry use in small packets or in buckets. For our purposes an 8 oz can (that looks like you'd keep a grasshopper in) can be simply put inside the box to absorb moisture and indicates when it is full by changing from crystal colored to pink. These same cans can then be reused by baking them for 3-4 hours in an oven at about 350 F. Each canister can cost around $9-$10 from one supplier called GAYLORDMART. 1 canister per short box and 2 per long box should be sufficient. Another consideration is the little packets typically found in a box of shoes. These are even more inexpensive, but would require further research to insure no harm would come to each comic book.

So as you build your valuable comic book collection, you will want to put some serious consideration into the comic book supplies that you will need. Materials and supplier source will become important variables in your overall decisions. I will have more interesting topics and sources from time to time at my site, so come on over and visit. You may even want to bookmark it.

Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; http://www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for his comic book ezine at http://www.comic-book-co llection-made-easy.com/comic-book-ezine.html

---

Origami Secrets Revealed

Origami, or the art of paper folding, has been around... Read More

Why You Should Race RC Cars, and Not Just Bash

For those of you who have been racing your RC... Read More

The Power Of Scrapbook Journaling

By journaling your pages you will transform an ordinary collection... Read More

Craft Crocheting from Your Home

Crocheting is not only a craft but an... Read More

Machine Embroidery Digitizing - What Youll Need Besides the Software

You've purchased an embroidery machine, practiced the designs that were... Read More

Why Do I (You) Collect?

I just got back from the vet with my cat... Read More

Creating A Family Tradition-Jigsaw Puzzles

Do you find it difficult to spend time together as... Read More

The Theme and Title of Your New Scrapbook

The theme of your scrapbook can be simple or complex.... Read More

More Than A Memory- A Legacy

Everyone has that box of pictures either in a close... Read More

Family Fun on the Rails

Imagine your are five years old. As your family arrives... Read More

The Proper Use of Comic Book Supplies Will Help You Maintain a Top-Notch Collection

If you want to keep your comic book collection in... Read More

Use Newspaper Clippings, Graphics, Kids Art, and Clipart to Enhance Your Scrapbook

A popular addition to scrapbook pages is newspaper clippings. Newspaper... Read More

Embroidery Designs Digitizing Software

Embroidery Magic 2 software program was created with multiple function... Read More

Collectibles: Searching for those Hard-to-Find Diecast Models

For collectors of any kind, there are always those items... Read More

Scrapbook Photographs -- How A Picture Can Be Worth A Thousand Words

For many people, photos are at the heart of their... Read More

Treasure Hunting - Part Two

Treasure hunting begins at home. People regularly find famous old... Read More

Mini Rc Cars

Did your heart ever palpitate for fast driving? Did you... Read More

Amish Furniture for Kids Summer Projects

Summer is coming, and the kids will soon be out... Read More

Finding The Best Display Case For Your Treasures

Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your... Read More

Origami Instructions - Getting Started

The birthplace of origami is still a mystery. Paper was... Read More

Lighted Holiday Potpourri Jars

Lighted potpourri jars are a festive addition to any holiday... Read More

Money Making Hobby - Do You Have One?

Everyone has a hobby. We love all kinds of music,... Read More

Introduction to Hobby Metal Casting for the Practical Home Mechanic - Engineer

Your enjoyment will start right from the moment you start... Read More

The Easy Way to Make a Special Present

We all know someone who is difficult to buy a... Read More

Embroidery Designs Sewing

Denim is a twill weave and runs diagonally and any... Read More

17 Tips For Getting Balloons to Last Longer in Hot Weather

In warm weather, latex balloons will typically only last outside... Read More

Embroidery Digitizing Software

Embroidery Magic 2 software is very easy to use to... Read More

Coin Collecting ? A Fun Hobby

Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just... Read More

Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do

Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that... Read More

Comic Book Supplies, Necessities of the Serious Collector

If you want to keep your comic book collection in... Read More

Ever Wanted to Make Your Own Themed Gift Baskets?

If you've always wanted to know how to make your... Read More

A Brief History of Candles

For centuries man's progress has been lighted by candles. However,... Read More

Diet and Fitness ? Help from Your Hobbies

Everybody battles with their weight from time to time. It's... Read More