Properly Preserving Comic Books

The fun about being a comics collector is finding rare and valuable ones. It can also be fun to buy them and save them for years and wait for them to become collector items. A lot of old comics are valued for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Collectors take pride in having the best, most popular and valued comics. There are auctions and trade shows where they are displayed and available to be purchased. A lot of collectors also display their collections at comic conventions such as Comic Con. For a book to be more valuable, it has to be stored properly and have minimal wear and tear. There is a proper way to store your comic books to ensure there will be less damage to them for years to come.

The first and most important aspect of storing comics is to have a controlled environment. You don't want a space that will become too hot or too cold. If you plan on keeping them in a rented storage unit, for example, find one that has air controlled room temperatures. Having a controlled environment will protect the comics from mold, mildew, and moisture. Basements and attics are also inappropriate places, and the best place would be a closet in your home where the temperature is appropriate and there isn't sunlight.

If you are storing your comics on a shelf for display purposes, you should store them in an upright position. This won't cause any bending that could warp the pages of the book. Encasing the comic in a clear cover will protect it from dust or other dander. Don't squeeze too many books onto one shelf too cause overcrowding which can lead to damages. If you choose not to display the books, you can store them in a box. They should also be stored upright in the box and not stacked on top of one another. The box also needs to be made out of acid free cardboard. You can buy boxes that are specifically designed for comic books which come in two sizes, short and long. Short boxes usually store up to 100 books, and long boxes will hold up to three times that amount.

You don't have to store your comics just for values sake. Preserving them properly will keep them in readable condition. You could give the comics to your children as they get older and it can become a fun hobby for you and your children or grandchildren to enjoy.

Krystle Green is a freelance writer. Mycomicshop.com is one of the largest retailers of comic books in the world. Mycomicshop is the online presence of Lone Star Comics, a leading retailer of comic books with seven stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For more information please visit: www.mycomicshop.com .