Comic Protection & Preservation Guide v1.0

(06 June 07)
 
This is a quick guide to provide some comic storage and archive advice, as I regularly get asked questions regarding my comic book protection supplies and general archiving advice.

Depending on the feedback, I may expand this article, none of the advice is set in stone, everything is up for discussion, if you have anything to contribute or think that something is totally incorrect let me know.

At his stage I won’t delve too deep on any particular subject, I'll touch on what I consider the most important things to consider when making a plan to protect/preserve your books. 

The Hazards

Hazards effecting books can be divided into two categories, elemental and organic
The majority of books are printed on cheap paper, as with all cheap paper when exposed to light a oxidization process begins which darkens the paper and acidic reaction occurs which damages the book.
This acid reaction occurs in a lot of materials, which on first instance people do not associate with damaging effects on their book collections
Originally when comic collecting was in it's infancy a lot of people used Polyethylene bags to protect their collection, were dismayed to find their book collections had deteriorated within their 'protective' plastic bags.  

Elemental Hazards:

 • Light, Acid, Moisture, Heat
• Sunlight (the UV part) will speed up deterioration of your book, as will electric lights especially fluorescent type
• As mentioned in the intro, your book will produce damaging gases
• Corrosive acid is found in the air and also on the moisture on people's hands
• Polyethylene plastic also produces corrosive acid
• Ordinary sticking tape contains acid
• Non treated cardboard emits harmful gases
• Apparently some inks can create fumes that are detrimental to your comics
• Paper absorbs moisture, so will your books
• Don’t forget the staples, as with all metals they will ‘rust’
• Too much heat will make your books brittle
• Variation in temperatures can cause the book to expand & contract, causing damage.

Summary

Light and temperature variations will damage your book, precautions need to be taken to prevent elemental deterioration

Solutions

The solutions I am going to suggest are available in my shop, the products I have used over the years and it is what I am comfortable with, as they are specifically sized so a backing board will fit in a protective bag and the bag will fit into its relevant storage box.

I know there are other supplies out there I will give them a mention, but obviously I am biased towards the stuff that I use and sell.

Keeping your books away from light is a must if you want to extend their life, if you want to test the effects of light, try this experiment.

Get a sheet from your daily newspaper, tear it in half leave one half on your window sill in direct sunlight the other half place in a dark are such as your wardrobe a week later put the two half’s together and check the difference (UK readers, this test is more effective if done in the summer when we have sunlight).

Storage solutions

Specially designed boxes are available; generally two types are offered ‘short’, which holds approximately 100 comics depending on the thickness of the individual comics. 

The other type is the ‘long’ box, which holds approximately 300 comics again depending on the thickness of the books stored.

My personal preference is the ‘short’ box as it is more suitable for storage within a home environment.

Once the box has been assembled (they usually come ‘flat packed’) hand holes are noticed at each end these are to facilitate lifting and moving the box, obviously this is a potential flaw in the 'light' protection of your books, the usual practice to solve this problem is to place a backing boards at each end of the box preventing light pollution.

Thought should be given where the actual box is going to be stored, remember ideally you need to keep a constant (cool) temperature

Not Recommended:

- Next to a radiator
- Next to a outside facing wall
- Ground floor (possible flooding damage)

Recommended (Short Term Storage, 3 to 5 years):

- Store your comic upright to prevent 'spine roll'
- Place your comic in a plastic bag to prevent dust particle contamination
- Use 'Magic Tape' to seal the plastic bag rather than 'Sellotape'
- Use a 'backing board'
- Consider 'Silica Gel' within the box to prevent moisture damage

Self sealing bags, personally am not a fan, as once sealed can be a bit of a struggle to re-open them, however they are popular with traders as a new book can be bagged quickly and they cheap.

Recommended (Long Term Storage 5 years plus):

- As per short term
- Use an 'inert' protection bag (Will not produce any harmful substances)
- Use a 'Calcium Impregnated' backing board (actively sucks up acidic gases)

Encapsulation systems:

Various systems on the market, including companies which will grade then seal your book in their own system and give the book a unique ID.  An excellent method of preserving your book.
 
The two main cons are that the actual system has to be protected from scratches and if you would like to read your book you may have to break the seal thus invalidating the record, however there usually is a method to have your book repacked. 

I would recommend this system for the more valuable books in your collection.

Organic Hazards

This section is a bit ‘tongue in cheek’ but it does highlight some pertinent points.

Organic hazards include fungal growth, insects, pets and people.
 
If temperature is not controlled fungal growths can appear on your book.

Some insects love the taste of books, once they gorge themselves to a standstill; the do the unmentionable on what’s left of you prized collection.

Pets have no conception how valuable your books are, or do they?  When you remonstrate your cat for some misdemeanor, is it a coincidence that your slipper becomes its next toilet stop?

People, generally were talking about the people who are close to you:
 
Moms, they are always in a 'tidy up' mood, any book that does not have this months date will be considered ‘old rubbish’ and trashed

Dads, at some point he will think “This kid needs toughening up, time for tough love”, you will find your books gone and in their place a set of boxing gloves.

Sisters, while you may have had a justifiable reason to decapitate her Barbie Dolls and slaughter her My Little Pony Collection, are you sure you can prevent a Revenge Attack?

 Brothers, ok you're thinking this is safe territory, but remember Cain and Abel

 Wife/Partner, do I really need to paint a graphic picture

Is your collection vast?  Consider a cataloging system

How far can you go to preserve your books, read Dan Brown's Angel And Demons, there is a chapter on how the Catholic Church protects it's valuable manuscripts, awesome reading.

Within my shop I have various protection materials sold in a variety of quantities as I understand not everyone need a hundred of any one item.

Short Term (3 to 5 years) Protection Supplies

Link to comic protection supply pages 

 Protective Bags x20      (Item # 160214311082) 

 Protective Bags x100    (Item # 160240690240)

 Backing Boards x10      (Item # 160214310739)

 Backing Boards x40      (Item # 150164486481)

 Backing Boards x100    (Item # 160214310118)

 Short Storage Box*        (Item # TBA)
  *(Holds approx 100 comics)

Long Term (5 years plus) Protection Supplies

2 Mil Archive Bag x1      (Item # 160212038467)

4 Mil Archive Bag x1      (Item # TBA)

Calcium Buffered Backing Boards x5      (Item # 150191446526)

Calcium Buffered Backing Boards x50      (Item # 150151520336)

Future  Guide Version

Packing for shipping
More detailed protection  described
Grading
What to collect

Your vote would really be appreciated, thanks