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Four Great Methods Of Handling, Storing And Protecting Your Valuable Sports Cards

Sports cards are prone to damage that can reduce their worth. They should be handled by holding at the edges, with your hands clean, and kept away from sunlight and moisture. Using thicker cases also helps, as does organizing them in boxes.

Author: Danica Reynes
Date: Jan 2, 2011 - 10:01:53 PM

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To protect your investment, always keep your hands clean and keep the cards away from extreme heat and moisture.

Even the smallest blemish on a sports trading card can cause a decrease in its value. 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.

Handle the cards carefully to prevent damage and ensure their lasting value. With clean hands, take hold of the cards on their edges, not on their face or back. This will help protect your corners and faces from damage. Your sports cards will be free from unsightly disfigurations if you handle it carefully.

Your important cards must be kept safe from sunlight and moisture

Protecting your cards from direct sunlight and humidity is important. Make sure you display your cards away from sunlight, especially autographed sports cards, which are prone to fading. Plus, they need to be kept away from moisture that can damage, discolor, or degrade the cards. To keep valuable sports card in great condition, collectors put desiccants inside their display cabinets and storage boxes, like silica gel to control the moisture.

Make sure you get thick cases to protect your cards

While plastic sleeves provide basic protection for your sports cards, thicker and harder cases are recommended for the greatest protection from possible scratches, creases, and dings for more valuable sports cards. Sports card holders, most frequently used ones, here are some of them.

Machine that loads from the top. A top-loader is similar to a sleeve but somewhat thicker and stiffer. 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. It is also a bit slack, allowing the card to move inside. If you are using atop loader to ship a card then make sure to put the resealable sports card inside a team bag that contains only the top-loaders.

Deluxe non-folding card protector. 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. This case also looks fine if you want to display your valuable sports card inside a display cabinet.

Card holder, screwed down. In order to protect your valuable collectors sports cards from damage, you need to place them in a sports card case. It uses screws in all four corners to lock your card inside the case. The thickness has to be right for your sports card or else they can get stuck if they sit in the case for a prolonged time.

A magnetic case is a handy option you will find useful many times! A different option from the screw-down style holder would be the magnetic case. It offers the same protection as a screw-down holder, but with one strong magnet replacing the four screws. It's a good option for displaying valuable sports cards because of its design feature.

A holder made of acrylic. Considering most cases for sports cards, these are the most expensive but the thickest. Perfect protection is offered to your priceless sports cards with every inch of acrylic.

Try to keep your sports cards in boxes, where they can remain organized

valuable cards that you wish to keep on display should be organized and kept safe in a box. A shoe box will do or you may also buy prefabricated sports cards boxes available in most speciality shops and in supply stores. Keep your collection neat and accessible by using sorting trays. Don't keep your sports cards in a box without protecting them. Always protect your valuable cards using at least a top-loader. For your other sports cards or base cards, you may use plastic sleeves.

Sports cards can make for a priceless collection and a valuable investment. You should always put special care into ensuring the worth of these cards with careful handling regardless of your intention for them.

View all articles by Danica Reynes

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