My buddy's comic storage 'expert' advice nearly wrecked my collection

A guy at my local shop in Cleveland told me to store my key issues in poly bags but sealed tight with no breathing room. I followed his tip for about 6 months until I pulled out my Amazing Spider-Man #300 and found the cover starting to ripple from trapped moisture. Turns out if you seal them too tight without any air circulation or those silica packs, the paper can warp. Has anyone else gotten bad storage advice that almost ruined a valuable book?

3 comments

3 Comments

brooke_jones1d ago

Did he even mention anything about microchamber paper or just the bags?

emmaking1d ago

My buddy Sarah actually tried just the bags last year and it was a disaster. She had these old letters from the 1800s that were already pretty fragile and the bags made them feel damp after a few weeks. She switched to microchamber paper from the same guy and said the difference was night and day, the paper actually pulls moisture away instead of trapping it. I think he might have mentioned the paper once in passing but it was like a quick line and then he moved on. So yeah, it definitely matters if you want to keep stuff safe long term.

nina_hall4818h ago

Disagree a bit here, I actually think the bags do the job fine if you prep them right. I've stored old family photos in mylar bags for years and never had damp issues, it's more about making sure the stuff inside is completely dry before sealing. Sarah might have sealed hers too fast or something. The microchamber paper is great and all, but it's way more expensive and harder to find, plus it can shed fibers over time which is a pain. Bag alone works for most things if you keep the storage area stable and not humid. But hey, if you've got the budget and the patience for microchamber, go for it, but don't act like bags are a disaster for everyone. Why not try the bags first and see how it goes before spending extra?