What climate do you store your comics in?

Glenn Simpson wrote:
 > Generally speaking, "cool and dry" is the only thing I've ever heard.
 > I can't say I've noticed any deterioration over the years from any of
 > my comics (other than due to handling them), but that's rather hard to
 > tell.
 > I'm thinking a securely bagged comic kept in a cool, dry place will
 > last longer than you want to keep it...

I've got mine archived in 4=6 in a bag, tape sealed, and then those are put in a box, like
the Diamond Shipping Boxes as they fit perfectly two rows. I tape all the sides so it is
theoretically 'sealed'. And those are in the attic, which is dry, but definately hot.
Nothing has melted, and the paper seems fine, looking at some of my early 80's stuff.
--
"... respect, all good works are not done by only good folk ..."
-till next time, Jameson Stalanthas Yu -x- <<poetry.dolphins-cove.com>>
consul.RemoveThis@INVALIDdolphins-cove.com ((remove the INVALID to email))<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What climate do you store your comics in? 

pfiz wrote:
 > I have recently moved into a new house (well, new to my wife and I).
 > We have an unfinished basement that has a large room big enough for a
 > nerd with thousands and thousands of comics. However, the basement is
 > somewhat humid. My wife thinks I shouldn't keep my comics in the
 > basement because she does not want a pissed off husband with a
 > thousands of ruined comics.
 >
 > My questions are...
 >
 > Is there a humidity level that is or is not appropriate for comic book
 > storage?

Basically, there are 7 concerns when it comes to storing any type of books (or
paper products). I got some of these from my wife, who is heavily into
Scrapbooking. Others, I got from library types (I figure what's good for
hardbacked books should be good for pamphlets and graphic novels).

1&2. Temperature and Humidity

* Optimal temperature is about 60 degrees F, but many people find this to be
uncomfortable for long periods. So, as close as you can get to this as possible
is good.
* Optimal relative humidity is about 50%. It doesn't have to be too dry, but
not too damp either.
* Avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations. Keep the atmosphere as stable as
possible.

3. Pollution

* Enforce a "No Smoking Zone."
* Make sure the area is well-ventilated and the air is clean.

4. Light

* Keep the area as dark as you can, as often as possible.
* Especially, NO direct sunlight (UV rays are the chief cuprits for fading).
* When you need light, use low wattage incandescent (not flourescent because of
UV rays) lights that generate minimal heat.

5. Mould

Depending on the climate where you live, this may be a problem. I know it can
be in New Orleans (where I live). More reason to keep the room you hold your
books in at a stable temperature and humidity.

6. Insects and pests

I once had a problem with silverfish -- they destroyed about 20-30 books before
I caught them. If you're keeping the area clean and of optimal
temperature/humidity, then this should take care of most insects (they don't
like coldness), but make routine checks to make sure. If you have an insect
problem that requires spraying, make sure you remove the books before the
exterminator gets there.

7. Housekeeping

* Make spot checks of the books periodically to make sure all is well.
* Vacuum with a soft brush.
* Keep everything off of the floor and away from the walls, especially if it is
an outside wall.

 > Do any of you monitor humidity levels? If so, with what?
 > Do any of you use a de-humidifier?

Living in New Orleans is a bitch when it comes to humidity, but typical air
conditioning works well. I can typically get my office down to a steady 65
degrees F quickly. I haven't checked the humidity of my office, but my
allergies keep me very sensitive to extremes in dampness (too dry, and I get
nose bleeds; too damp, and my asthma recurrs).

You can judge for yourself how obsessive you should be about these things.
--
-=[ The BlakGard ]=-
"Somewhere there's danger;
somewhere there's injustice,
and somewhere else the tea is getting cold!"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What climate do you store your comics in? 

excellent. this is what I was looking for. Thanks!


blakgard RemoveThis @aol.coma.org (The Black Guardian) wrote in message news:<20040604201100.00101.00000272 RemoveThis @mb-m22.aol.com>...
 > pfiz wrote:
  > > I have recently moved into a new house (well, new to my wife and I).
  > > We have an unfinished basement that has a large room big enough for a
  > > nerd with thousands and thousands of comics. However, the basement is
  > > somewhat humid. My wife thinks I shouldn't keep my comics in the
  > > basement because she does not want a pissed off husband with a
  > > thousands of ruined comics.
  > >
  > > My questions are...
  > >
  > > Is there a humidity level that is or is not appropriate for comic book
  > > storage?
 >
 > Basically, there are 7 concerns when it comes to storing any type of books (or
 > paper products). I got some of these from my wife, who is heavily into
 > Scrapbooking. Others, I got from library types (I figure what's good for
 > hardbacked books should be good for pamphlets and graphic novels).
 >
 > 1&2. Temperature and Humidity
 >
 > * Optimal temperature is about 60 degrees F, but many people find this to be
 > uncomfortable for long periods. So, as close as you can get to this as possible
 > is good.
 > * Optimal relative humidity is about 50%. It doesn't have to be too dry, but
 > not too damp either.
 > * Avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations. Keep the atmosphere as stable as
 > possible.
 >
 > 3. Pollution
 >
 > * Enforce a "No Smoking Zone."
 > * Make sure the area is well-ventilated and the air is clean.
 >
 > 4. Light
 >
 > * Keep the area as dark as you can, as often as possible.
 > * Especially, NO direct sunlight (UV rays are the chief cuprits for fading).
 > * When you need light, use low wattage incandescent (not flourescent because of
 > UV rays) lights that generate minimal heat.
 >
 > 5. Mould
 >
 > Depending on the climate where you live, this may be a problem. I know it can
 > be in New Orleans (where I live). More reason to keep the room you hold your
 > books in at a stable temperature and humidity.
 >
 > 6. Insects and pests
 >
 > I once had a problem with silverfish -- they destroyed about 20-30 books before
 > I caught them. If you're keeping the area clean and of optimal
 > temperature/humidity, then this should take care of most insects (they don't
 > like coldness), but make routine checks to make sure. If you have an insect
 > problem that requires spraying, make sure you remove the books before the
 > exterminator gets there.
 >
 > 7. Housekeeping
 >
 > * Make spot checks of the books periodically to make sure all is well.
 > * Vacuum with a soft brush.
 > * Keep everything off of the floor and away from the walls, especially if it is
 > an outside wall.
 >
  > > Do any of you monitor humidity levels? If so, with what?
  > > Do any of you use a de-humidifier?
 >
 > Living in New Orleans is a bitch when it comes to humidity, but typical air
 > conditioning works well. I can typically get my office down to a steady 65
 > degrees F quickly. I haven't checked the humidity of my office, but my
 > allergies keep me very sensitive to extremes in dampness (too dry, and I get
 > nose bleeds; too damp, and my asthma recurrs).
 >
 > You can judge for yourself how obsessive you should be about these things.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What climate do you store your comics in? 

~consul <consul RemoveThis @INVALIDdolphins-cove.com> wrote in message news:<c9qjdu$iqd$3@gist.usc.edu>...
 > Glenn Simpson wrote:
  > > Generally speaking, "cool and dry" is the only thing I've ever heard.
  > > I can't say I've noticed any deterioration over the years from any of
  > > my comics (other than due to handling them), but that's rather hard to
  > > tell.
  > > I'm thinking a securely bagged comic kept in a cool, dry place will
  > > last longer than you want to keep it...
 >
 > I've got mine archived in 4=6 in a bag, tape sealed, and then those are put in a box, like
 > the Diamond Shipping Boxes as they fit perfectly two rows. I tape all the sides so it is
 > theoretically 'sealed'. And those are in the attic, which is dry, but definately hot.
 > Nothing has melted, and the paper seems fine, looking at some of my early 80's stuff.

The problem with the heat is that it can combine with moisture and
create fungus. Not sure how much "hot" is required to overcome
"dry"...<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What climate do you store your comics in? 

I keep all my comics, books and magazines in a finished room in my
basement. I do use a dehumidifer in there, which seems to be working out
just fine. My only suggestion is if you set up dehumidifier try to
position it next to your sump pump (if you have one), with a hose that
will continually drain the machine. Unfortunately I do not have this
set-up and thus have to go downstairs and manually empty the dehumidifier
every day or two.
 >> Stay informed about: What climate do you store your comics in?