MYLAR...what you might not know, CAN hurt you!

MYLAR...betcha didn't know... the problem with mylar is that it has no “breathing” capabilities and sealing it is really not a good idea as moisture would be trapped inside and could potentially cause mold and mildew problems down the line. Mylar is used by museums and archives because it has 10’s of 100’s of years of life before it would break down and have to be replaced. This is a good thing for places like museums, as they could never be able to keep track of all the millions of documents they have and have to worry about replacing the sleeves before they start to deteriorate. Mylar needs to be kept in a controlled environment because of that “breathing” issue – and museums have that. Most homes do not. Desiccants need to be monitored carefully as well. They do absorb moisture, but you would need some kind of moisture gauge, as #1 if you have too much desiccant, you could make the paper brittle and cause it to start breaking down and #2 - eventually the desiccant needs replacing, as it will sooner or later have no more absorbing capabilities and stop doing the job. Moisture is a very tricky problem with paper as you can imagine. That is why polypro and polyethylene are considered good alternatives for the standard collector who is looking for a lifetime of protection for their collectibles 50-100 years. It has “breathing” properties and as long as it is not left out to absorb light, will not break down for 50-100 years.

Do YOU Know How to Tell if Your Record is Worth Anything?

http://www.ehow.com/how_7455895_tell-vinyl-records-worth-anything.html We all know scratches and marks devalue vinyl off the bat, but sometimes a record is SO rare, it still makes it collectible. But would you know how to tell if your record has value? Find out here....and start learning!

Need to Organize Your Bookcase?

SHELF FILES - font color="#662200"Brown/font Corrugated Cardboard.
10-1/6 x 4 x 7-1/8. Holds National Geographics.
These fold-together economy Shelf Files are an inexpensive way to keep your office or storage area organized. Made from 200# test corrugated, kraft material. Break down and store flat when not in use.
I have seen some people decorate these and they look pretty sweet on their book shelf! It's a great way to keep things organized...even if they are NOT National Geographic Magazine.

16" Record Envelopes - 10 pt. thick acid-free paper.

16" Record Envelopes - 10 pt. thick acid-free paper.

16 and 20" discs — Although 12" was the largest disc diameter used in consumer products, broadcasting studios made use of 16" and 20"-diameter 78 rpm acetate "transcriptions," used for time-delaying programs and for prerecording broadcasts. These could provide up to 20 minutes of unbroken program material with very good fidelity (indistinguishable from live to casual, but not to critical listeners). Early classical LP recordings were in fact initially recorded on 20" 78-rpm acetates for later transfer to LP. 16" turntables are still seen in professional broadcast equipment, although it is probably very rare that any disk larger than 12" is ever played on them. Quote taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Archival Print Protectors

Archival Print Protectors

Pinterest

Pinterest

IS YOUR COMIC/RECORD/PAPER CONVENTION LISTED ON OR WEBSITE?

has a GREAT LINKS tab! Is your show listed? If not, please contact us about how to get your banner ad on our website! We have customers ALL OVER THE WORLD and your ad will be seen over and over again, driving more business your way! Here are a couple of shows that we are working with:

Bags Unlimited has so much to offer...please talk to us about how we can help promote your Vinyl Records, Comic, Paper, Ephemera and Memorabilia shows!

Check the Website for WEEKLY DEALS

Sometimes it's hard to blog because time has a way of getting away from you, but I thought it was important to mention that we do offer TWO weekly deals categories...one has 5 regular products at 10% off and the other has 5 regular products listed at 20% off. If you have not gone to the website recently, we have done a lot to it...AND we have added new incentives and deals. But the only way to know is to check the website at www.bagsunlimited.com The deals are listed on the homepage, and wholesale and BONUS points information is also listed on the homepage. Other links of interest would be NEW products, What We Do, and in PERIODICALS, you will find HOW TO videos that are very easy to follow with step by step directions. We strive to offer the highest quality products in comic sleeves, comic backings, mailers and frames, as well as for posters, postcards, music, audio and vinyl, corrugated storage boxes, mailer tubes and card sleeves, frames, and just about everything in between. We have a product custom fit for almost every type of collectible. We invite you to go to the website now and browse the thousands of items we offer. We also invite you to COMMENT on products you have purchased in the past. Your feedback is highly regarded and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know how we stand in the world of collecting. So, take a look, ask questions, request samples, and most of all...HAVE FUN! Make it a GREAT DAY!

WHY USE BAGS UNLIMITED for COLLECTION PROTECTION?

Hi, all! I hope everyone is fairing well and in good health! I thought it was important to bring up some reasons for using Bags Unlimited for protecting your collectibles. I know there are places that may sell some of the same products we do...maybe even in some cases for less, but I hope to explain what those differences may be and entice you to read on ...for the sake of your collections.

We have been manufacturing archival preservation products for about 40 years. The whole premise of the company is, was and always will be based on the highest quality products used in preventing the wear and tear and eventual breakdown of collectibles. It's nothing we take lightly. All of our products specify what they are made of, and we help give you the best picture possible to explain what the differences might be. We do have an economy line and we also have the highest form of protection available which would be museum grade. We give as many choices as possible. We also cut each product to fit very specific collectibles..it's not to say that you couldn't use a mylar lobby card sleeve on a still...you can, but if it's meant for a specific product, it's cut to measure so that slippage is not possible. (Slippage may also cause wear and tear, and we don't want that, of course). Another point is that we use these products ourselves on our own collectibles! We are family owned and operated and we intend to remain that way...who doesn't like working with a company that has a face? I know I prefer it. We offer many amenities to help offset costs and we also offer wholesale pricing, weekly specials and bonus points~ (Every order gives you points that = a 10% discount). We have LIVE, knowledgeable customer service reps and sales people who can help answer questions, and we even supply free samples. So, when you're looking for a company to purchase products from, I hope you think of us~ We are here to help, and we invite you to try us out and see for yourself what we can do for you! Please let us know if you have any questions, and we hope to be hearing from you soon!

Comic Art & Graffix Gallery - History of Sequential Art

Comic Art & Graffix Gallery - History of Sequential Art

Short, yet interesting bit on the progression of art all the way up to Spiderman. If you have a few moments, it's worth the entertaining read!
Thanks!
www.bagsunlimited.com

SAD DAY TODAY...CBG Ceases publication

Per CBG: This is to let you know that CBG has ceased publication, effective Jan. 11. Our small and declining print circulation and a commensurate decline in advertising – taken together with increased printing and postage costs — simply doesn’t allow us to continue the magazine in an economically sustainable way. The website www.CBGXtra.com is being maintained as a resource archive by our fellow editors at Antique Trader, but will not provide updates. Obviously, the world of comics continues to be an exciting one, with an increasing audience for the art form. (Have you marked your calendars for this year’s Free Comic Book Day? It’s May 4!) Both Senior Editor Maggie Thompson and Editor Brent Frankenhoff will continue to be active in comics fandom, online, and elsewhere. We’ve enjoyed meeting many of you over the years and we hope to see you often in the future. We encourage you to check out CBG’s sister publication Antique Trader at www.antiquetrader.com. Additional contacts can be reached via email to atnews@fwmedia.com. Bags Unlimited has been closely tied to CBG for many years, and this news comes as a blow to us, as well as the comic community as a whole. We are sad to say "good-bye" and wish them all well on the next journey. Please continue to support the sister publication as mentioned, and THANK YOU CBG for many years of great publications, information and dedication. We salute you.

What's New for the New Year?

Bags Unlimited has been working on a lot of things....bringing new and exciting products to the table, lowering some pricing, adding the WEEKLY DEALS, and soon, "HOW TO" videos. This is very exciting! Collecting is an art. There is a way to do it, then there are untold numbers of ways NOT to do it. It can be a challenge for some, and we want to try to take the challenge out of it for you! So, keep your eyes peeled! We will be adding videos soon, but in the interim, you can always call our customer support team! We're only a phone call or email away! *Be sure to stay in the loop and make sure we have your email address! Happy Collecting!

COMIC BOOK REVIEW

I got the chance to get a couple more reviews done before the end of the year and I'm glad I did as I found some great comics. The first is August Moon from Top Shelf Productions. This graphic novel has the feel similar to some Anime like Spirited Away or Totoro and I loved the Asian folklore that this comic tapped into. It is a very endearing story with some action as well and I thought it was one of the better comics I've read this year. The other is the first two issues of Storm Dogs from Image Comics. Storm Dogs is a mystery thriller science fiction comic book that takes place on an alien mining town on the outskirts of civilization. I really dug a lot of the concepts that writer David Hine brought into the comic and look forward in seeing how it all shakes up. If the first two issues are anything to gauge then it should be a great one. Taken from ABOUT (dot) com

Stan Lee Turns 90!

Stan Lee Turns 90!
Read the article on Stan Lee. It's amazing (as in AMAZING SPIDER MAN) that Stan Less is 90 and still going strong..maybe comics keep us young!

5 Most Valuable Collectibles

Collectibles For Adults By Alexis Brunswick Ads by Google Dewitt Antique & Jewelry We buy gold and silver for more. Proven to pay the most locally! dewittantiquejewelryandcoin.com Chegg #1 Textbook Rentals Rent Textbooks & Do The Right Thing Save $500+ And We Plant a Tree www.Chegg.com Drop Ship Wholesaler Access 1,500,000 Drop Ship Products You Sell, We Mail—It's That Simple. www.Doba.com Collectibles are defined as objects of a type that is valued or sought after by collectors. There are so many types of collectibles that it would be impossible to list them all in one article, but some of the more popular ones are definitely worth taking a look at. Whether you've decided to start collecting objects for pure interest or for monetary purposes, there are many benefits for collectors. Below you will find a list of the most popular and most valuable collectibles among adults today: 1. Comic Books. Comic books have always been a very popular collectible. Back in the early 1900's, most comic books were purchased for values between ten and fifteen cents. Many of those same comic books have been sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars today and some are said to be worth more. Not a bad payout if you ask us. The world's most valuable comic book is Action Comics #1 (June 1938) which had a cover price of 10 cents at the time of publish. Its present worth is estimated at $350,000. 2. Sports Cards. Much like comic books, sports cards can potentially be very valuable pieces in a collector's portfolio. Some of the most popular baseball and hockey cards have been sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars and some have estimated worths of more than a million dollars. The most valuable baseball card of all time, the Honus Wagner card from 1909, was sold in 2007 for a whopping 2.8 million dollars. 3. Stamps. Believe it or not, stamps are extremely valuable collectibles. The world's most valuable stamp is said to be the unique 1857 'Tre Skilling Banco Swedish stamp. This stamp was reportedly auctioned off for 2.8 million Swiss Francs, which works out to 2.3 million US dollars. Who knew a tiny stamp could hold such a large value? 4. Coins. Coins remain one of the most sought after collectibles in the world. Many people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on coins that were originally worth less than a dollar. The most valuable coin in the world is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle. This coin had a face value of $20 but was purchased at an auction in July of 2002 for an unbelievable $7.6 million dollars. 5. Dolls. Much like baseball cards and comic books for men, collectible dolls are a huge interest for many women. And while unopened Barbie dolls and porcelain dolls can be extremely valuable, the Swiss-made bird trainer doll (also known as the six million dollar doll) is the most expensive doll in the world with an estimated worth of 6 million dollars. The second most valuable doll is said to be worth a mere 230,000 by comparison. We hope you've enjoyed our article on the most popular - and most valuable - collectibles for adults. Who knows, maybe one day you'll sell your collectibles for millions of dollars.

What's The Difference in The Acid Free Material I Use?

Store your Digests, Paperbacks and Pulps in our POLY BAGS and protect them from dust, dirt, finger oils and other airborne pollutants. Our bags hold size and thickness tolerances and come in printed outer bags for easy product identification. We stock paperback, pulp magazine and digest bags made out of polyethylene and polypropylene. Both of these materials have passed the Photo Activity Test (P.A.T.) certifying that they are safe for long-term storage. • Polyethylene (PE) is a soft, clear material with "breathing" capabilities (lets moisture escape). It has some elasticity which allows a tighter fit than polypropylene or polyester. It has good contact clarity. • Polypropylene (PP) material is crystal-clear with excellent contact clarity. It is bi-oriented material which will not pucker or ripple over time. PP is stiffer than polyethylene. The side seals need care when inserting items, as the seams are not as strong as the PE seams. This is a short break down of the materials most often used for clear collection protection sleeves. Many people prefer mylar which is VERY clear with a "crisp" feel to it, but did you know that frequently removing a product stored in mylar CAN make microscopic tears over time? Mylar would be best used for shorter term storage. For more information and details on collection supply products, please visit

Original Puzzles From Jaymar Puzzle Company! Makes a Great Gift!

These handsome, uncut DISNEY PUZZLE SHEETS were created in the early 1990's by Jaymar Puzzles in Rochester, NY. The designs were created by actual Disney artists and purchased by Jaymar to convert into puzzles. The colors are vibrant and the images have excellent detail. They are available in either UNFRAMED or FRAMED format: UNFRAMED uncut puzzles come matted, with a corrugated backing and enclosed in a crystal clear polypropylene sleeve. FRAMED uncut puzzles have the following specifications: Black 1-1/4" wood frame; Black mat 1/16" thick, pH neutral and a 3% calcium carbonate buffer; Crystal clear acrylic front glazing, .093" thick; Corrugated backing. NOTE: Click on drop-down to see pricing of unframed puzzle sheets. $4.00 small order charge will apply to unframed, uncut sheet pricing if order total is under $25.00.

Exciting Gifts and Gift Certificates For That Special Collector

http://www.bagsunlimited.com/c-469-gift-certificates.aspx Bags Unlimited Gift Certificate Order in increments of $5.00 We'll issue your Gift Certificate for the dollar amount you specify. We'll send it directly to the recipient or mail it to you... just let us know! Enter recipient's address in 'ship to' portion of order form, or in comments section of order form if ordering more than just the gift certificate. All Certificates come in a Gift Envelope. Don't wait until the last minute - but if you do... air shipments are available through Christmas Eve Day! http://www.bagsunlimited.com/c-20-gift-ideas.aspx

Mylar (Polyester) Sleeves/P.A.T tested. Can YOUR Comic Sleeves say that?

Mylar (Polyester) Sleeves
These 2 mil and 4 mil Comic Book Sleeves are made of Archival Polyester (Mylar) an inert material of the highest clarity. We use DuPont inert Melinex® or a suitable equivalent.
Polyester (Mylar) will not discolor, damage, or adhere to items placed inside it. It is a sturdy film that beautifully displays, timelessly protects, and gives extra support to fragile documents.

**NEW** We have added two styles of 4 mil polyester sleeves. They are both made of the same archival polyester material, but they have two different flap styles. The Open Flap style (ROF) has to be creased to form the flap and then folded over. The Beaded Flap style (BF) has a third piece of polyester that is bead welded to the extended back of the sleeve, creating the flap.

Our polyester material has passed the Photo Activity Test (PAT).http://www.bagsunlimited.com/c-353-mylar-polyester-sleeves.aspx RSS 2.0: http://collectionprotection.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

SAVE MY COMICS...PLEASE

e store comics to keep them valuable. Air pollution, ultra violet light, dirt and oil from fingers as well as rough handling all contribute to the deterioration of a comic. Storing a comic properly is essential to keeping it valuable. There are 3 major storage components to proper comic storage. They are a comic bag, a comic backing board and a comic box. Comic Book Bags Bags Putting your comic in a properly sized comic bag not only keeps dust, dirt and finger oils off the comic book surface, but helps prevent scuffing which can bring down the value of a comic book considerably. The three most popular comic bag materials are polyethylene, polypropylene and Mylar. Bags Unlimited carries New Comic Bags, Regular Comic Bags, Dell & Silver Age Comic Bags and Golden Age Comic Bags as well as Treasury Comic Bags in all three of these materials. All three materials are considered to be archival-meaning that there is nothing in the composition of the material that can contribute to the breakdown or destruction of the comic being stored in it. Mylar is considered to be the most archivally sound and is the choice of most museums and archivists as it has the longest shelf life of the three materials. Every day comic collectors can feel comfortable using polyethylene comic bags or polypropylene comic bags. Our comic bags come with a fold over flap that can be taped on the outside of the bag. We also carry comic bags with a reseal tape on the body of the bag (vs. the flap), so the tape doesn't catch on the comic and cause damage to the comic. Comic Book Mylar Sleeves Mylar Bags Comic Book Backing Board Backing Board Comic Backing Boards come in different thicknesses and acid-free properties. The basic purpose for using a backing board is to give the comic some stiffness, which helps keep the comic pages from bending, creasing or wrinkling. When a backing is placed in the center of the comic it protects the comic book spine from crushing. The second purpose for using a backing board in a comic is its potential to neutralize acid in the comic book paper. Acid in the paper that the comic is printed can cause the deterioration of the comic. Using an acid-free backing in your comic can potentially trap and neautralize acid in the paper. The three types of comic backing boards we offer are: economy comic backings, standard acid-free comic backings and archival comic backings. The economy comic backing should be used for short-term storage and stiffening purposes only. It does contain acid and can contribute to the breakdown of the comic. People generally use this board for quick sale items. The standard acid-free comic backing material is acid-free and can be used for long-term storage (over 100 years). The archival comic backing material is acid-free and buffered with calcium carbonate, which means that it will remain archival for 100's of years. Our comic backing boards are sized to properly fit into our comic bags. Corrugated Comic Book Boxes Corrugated All of our Comic Boxes are super strong and come with sturdy well-fitting lids and handle holes that can be left in the closed position for storing or pushed open for carrying. They are properly sized to hold a comic in a bag with a backing board. Our comic divider cards (used for categorizing) fit in our comic boxes with the lid on. All of our comic boxes ship flat which takes up less storage room. They fold together when you are ready to use them without glue or tape. Storing your comics in a properly sized box helps protect your comics from corner and edge damage. Putting your comics in a comic box also protects the comic from being exposed to ultra-violet light. Ultra-violet light causes inks to fade. Our comic boxes are made form either Corrugated Plastic or Corrugated Cardboard and come in several different lengths for your various storage/display needs. Comic storage boxes do not need to be acid-free if you have your comics in bags. For short tern storage the most popular material choice for comic storage boxes is corrugated cardboard. It is sturdy and reasonably priced. Corrugated plastic comic boxes are an excellent choice for long-term comic storage because the material is acid-free, water proof, vermin resistant and extremely strong. They are more expensive than the corrugated comic boxes, but the material properties of the plastic corrugated material make the extra cost worth the investment for long term archival comic storage. Plastic Comic Book Boxes Corrugated Plastic For More Information Call Toll Free: 1-800-767-BAGS or send E-mail to: info@bagsunlimited.com Fax: 585-328-8526 7 Canal Street · Rochester, NY 14608 Copyright © 2001-2004 Bags Unlimited, Inc. All Rights Reserved