Talk about anything you want, so long as it's about comics!
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glorkar Posts: 689
11/8/2020
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Up until recently, I felt that toploaders were a strange thing and didn't really server much of a purpose. Afterall, a sturdy bag and board basically does the same thing (keeps the comic clean and straight).
I've been thinking about them again thought recently.
I've got a handful of books that are worth a moderate amount of money ($20-$150). Most of these books are either not worth grading, or I simply don't want / can't afford to have the others graded.
I've started wondering if toploaders might actually be worth it for a slightly more rigid and durable protection method in this situation.
Does anyone here use them? Are they worth it? Is it just a gimmick?
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BasementComics Posts: 784
11/8/2020
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I use them quite often for my more expensive books however I've also started using Mylite 2 and Full backs also. The Mylites will be a less expensive option (my comic stores sells them to me at $0.50 vs $0.15 for a regular back & board). Amazon, Ebay or if you plan to buy in bulk, check out egerber.com as that will get you even a better deal.)
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claydwilli Posts: 66
11/9/2020
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I've never used them for storage in general, like you I think a bag, board and box is enough. However, I do like to use them (and I like it when other people use them) when shipping a valuable comic.
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glorkar Posts: 689
11/20/2020
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So I decided to buy some and see what they were like.
I'm a little disappointed.
My hope was that I'd be able to bag a book and slide it in. In most cases, this was a no go. The comic sits too loosely this way (unless it's a fairly thick book). It could easily slide out and, while the edges / spine are protected, the book is still susceptible to bending in the middle.
For this reason, I still had to use a board on most of my books.
That said, it does protect a little better from accidental damage (for example, pressure damage when taking the comic out of a box).
I'm not sorry I bought them, but I'm also glad I only got 10 of them. I'll use one on occasion for higher value books, but they definitely aren't worth it for the bulk of a collection.
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Defiant1 Posts: 720
11/23/2020
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BasementComics wrote:
I use them quite often for my more expensive books however I've also started using Mylite 2 and Full backs also. The Mylites will be a less expensive option (my comic stores sells them to me at $0.50 vs $0.15 for a regular back & board). Amazon, Ebay or if you plan to buy in bulk, check out egerber.com as that will get you even a better deal.)
Mylite 2's are the best option with an acid free backing board.
I've got comics that I put in some thinner Mylites back in 1980 and they look and smell like they did the day they were purchased.
For long term storage, steer clear of polypropylene bags of any kind and definitely not polyethylene (which are rare these days).
Many manufacturer's lie and generically call their bags Mylar or "Archival".
They do it more out of ignorance than malice.
You are safe with Mylite 2's, but they cost a little more.
They also make any book look better for resale or flipping.
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