Collecting Question.

[Guest]

[alanwilcox83]

I'm honestly not too sure where to post my question, but this section seems to have the most action going on in it.  Anyhow, my wife and I are new to collecting movie/memorabilia type cards.  She's a huge harry potter nut, and I've gotten into it as well since meeting her.  Anyhow, we have a few unopened boxes on the way, as well as a ton of single cards we've purchased on eBay.  So the question I have is....what is the best way to protect the prop/costume/auto cards.  I assume the auto cards are just a standard thickness, so I would protect those as I would some of my cherished sports cards.  Unless they are thicker.  I've been out of the sports card game for 10 years, so this whole 'super thick, put a jersey/costume/prop' in the card thing, is new to me.  So if any one has any links/pictures/suggestions of where I can get the best protection for some these cards, I'd very much appreciate it.  We plan on being fairly active among this community as well.  We've pretty much, got 2/3, maybe closer to 3/4 of a master set of HBPU on the way, as well as some other random cards throughout the series.  Thanks for any info in advance!

Alan and Alicia

[kbmum]

First off, welcome!

As for your question, it really does depend on the thickness of the cards.  I put mine in albums.  The cards either fit in regular 9-pocket pages, or go in sleeves and top loaders and put in 4-pocket pages.  Some people use screwdowns.  However, I've heard from different sources (including Beckett) that sometimes cards stick to the inside of the a screwdown and become damaged when trying to remove them.  I think this is mostly due to putting a card that's too thick inside a screwdown.

If you want to store the cards in boxes instead of albums, I'd suggest getting regular sleeves, sleeves for thicker cards, and top loaders in different sizes.  If you run into a problem with a specific card, feel free to post here and someone will try to help.

[Mike]

Welcome!

Yes, I suggest sleeves with toploaders too. When storing cards in screwdown cases there is a chance that they will stick to the inside of the case. I had a film card stick to the top and bottom of a screwdowns case once and both sides of the card almost complete ripped off. I haven't used screwdowns since Toploaders also reduce weight as well.

[allender]

"Action" ebbs and flows on this board now that Harry Potter events are getting farther apart.

It's nice when practically everything fits into 9-pocket pages and you can use the albums that are made for every set. But for protection of the thicker props and costumes, they make top-loader sleeves in practically any thickness you'd want. I always put the card in a 'penny' sleeve first before I put it in a toploader.

Like kbmum, I also insert the too-thick cards (even in toploaders) into 4-pocket pages, but you might also put a bit of tape over the pocket opening to keep the contents from slipping out.

Some people matte and frame their favorites, too. 

Variants of "screw-downs" include snap-tights and magnet-locks. I recommend using these only if I can put the card in a penny sleeve first because, whatever the reason, a lot of people have seen damage from cards sticking to the plastic. Some of them are so tight that you can't fit in the sleeve, and I think that's part of their problem. If I receive a card in one of those, I remove it and trash the holder.

[alanwilcox83]

Thanks for all the quick responses.  Being the new guy, its nice to see some hospitality.  So toploaders seem to be the way to go.  Back in my sports card days, screw downs were the best, but I can see how all these new-fancy cards may stick.  So I'll run out and buy an array of thicknesses for all the cards that are on there way.  I think after today's auctions, i'll only be 4-5 cards away from a master set of HBPU, not including the incentive cards and case toppers, but those will come eventually.  The wife really wants the Luna glasses card, so I suppose i'll be shelling out 80-100 for that soon, haha.  What can I expect to pay for the Ron/Lavender auto, as well as the Molly Weasley auto.  If anyone knows a ballpark, that'd definitely help me out.  I should be able to win the McRory and Twins cards today, I'm trying to knock this set out while they're still new and 'somewhat affordable' haha.

By the way, is there where I should have posted this? Or is there a more general 'harry potter card' thread?

Thanks again.

Alan

[ukpatriotsfan]

Hey all! What i do with the thicker prop and costume card was to buy the extra thick card sleeves and put them over the extra wide prop and costume cards and use the official binders using 8 pocket sheets (not the 9 pocket ones).They are sometimes to tight and may damage the edges of the cards so go for the Ultra pro 8 pocket pages dimensions 2.75" x 3.5".They are slightly bigger than the 9 pocket pages and hold the cards comfortably with the extra wide card sleeves Have a look at these links

http://www.the2buds.com/supg8.htm      or
http://www.uktradingcards.com/tree/166

[alanwilcox83]

One last question in addition the last few.

The film cell cards...is it one trailer cut up among all the cards in a particular set, or one trailer per card, like cfc1, cfc2, etc...do they get one trailer each.  Or is this info even known?  Im just curious, it'd be kind of cool if it was truly one trailer per set, as that would make each card unique.

[kbmum]

The filmcard cells in each set come from one particular trailer, with the exception of the Chamber of Secrets set (IMHO).  For that set, all of the cells seem to come from specific scenes from the movie reel.  (It's been a long time since the set came out, but I recall trying to figure out which trailer was used.  I came to the conclusion that some of the cells in the cards weren't in any of the trailers, and therefore Artbox must have used cells from the movie reel.)

Having said that, I don't know how many copies of a trailer were used for each set.  The POAU filmcards were numbered to 900 each, and since I saw many identical cells in different cards, I assume that Artbox cut up at least two trailer reels to make the cards.  Subsequent sets have filmcards with much lower print runs, so it's possible that Artbox cut up only one reel.

Even if more than one copy of a trailer was used to make the cards, there are plenty of opportunities for unique cards.  I have many where the image in the cells exactly match or come very close to matching the image printed on the front of the card.  There are also cards that have two unrelated cells (from different scenes).

[alanwilcox83]

I notice you all talk about this infamous 'tom' getting you all cases, haha.  I'm wondering what the best route is to get a case when I'm ready for it.  This is something the wife and I are both bonding over, kinda odd thing to bond over, but hey, it works.  Our older son loves them too, so its a nice family bonding thing too.  Anyhow, I may soon be interested in acquiring a case, and before I hit eBay, I figured Id ask you guys, since you have all been so much help already.  Thanks to the advice, I found some perfect top loaders and pages for the cards I've received already, they look great. 

A bit of bad luck on the boxes of MM2 I ordered, well we think It may be bad luck, they shipped from New York, I'm in Utah...somehow they routed through Hawaii...doesn't make any sense to me, or the guy at USPS i talked to, so hopefully it isn't lost, and just lost its tracking tag on another box or something.  Should be here today if that's the case.  We've got three coming, so I'll list the breakdowns in the MM2 thread once we get them all cracked open.  I got all 3 for under 70 shipped, so I think I did ok on the price.  Especially if we hit one of the really good ones.

Thanks again! 

Alan

[ukpatriotsfan]

Problem with buying cases is that you can`t buy directly from Artbox. :(Usually you need to buy from registered trading card dealers and Tom Breyer is just one of about 6 i know.His ebay name is tomunique and is very good with postage especially to the UK where i am:) You can contact him at (tbreyer@optonline.net).As the HBPU is already out,i`m not sure if he can get anymore from Artbox but he should have a few cases hidden somewhere 

[rns91294]

Welcome to the forum! 

I remember when I first started collecting. Ah, the excitement. I put all my cards in the screw down cases.....and after all the releases, I realized the boxes of cards I had and how heavy they were due to the screwdowns. I have finally started to put them in to 9 pocket pages (thankfully, none of my cards got ruined in the cases), but boy does it make life easier. I can view them easier and I no longer have stacks of screw down cases piled around. The binders are the ay to go.

My husband and I bought a case once, but only opened one box from it because we ended up getting a hot box (a box that contained all inserts in the set....Artbox has only done this a couple times with only about 10-20 boxes made like this for the set). We did get it from Tom and all our regular box orders have mainly been with Tom as well. Of course, I live close to him and have met him in person many times as well, so this makes things easier. However, there are others you can order from and it really all depends on what is easiest for you.

Good luck with your boxes. You got a good price, so let us know what you pull!

[terryweasley]

If you interested in buying a case, I would definitely contact Tom.   He is a real sweetie.  I bug him all the time with questions and other things.  I think his prices are fair either on  or via a private sale.  You should email him and let him know you are interested in a case for the next movie.  Then he will know to contact you when information becomes available, and give you first refusal on cases.  Tom generally accepts pre-orders.  He does expect payment before cases are shipped and will email you when it's due.

[jfer21]

The filmcard cells in each set come from one particular trailer, with the exception of the Chamber of Secrets set (IMHO).  For that set, all of the cells seem to come from specific scenes from the movie reel.  (It's been a long time since the set came out, but I recall trying to figure out which trailer was used.  I came to the conclusion that some of the cells in the cards weren't in any of the trailers, and therefore Artbox must have used cells from the movie reel.)

I think it was Sorcerer's Stone that didn't have the trailer.  It was all from the Diagon Alley section of the movie, so you got lots of Harry, Hagrid, and Ollivander in the cells.

[alanwilcox83]

I just wanted to say thanks again to all of you for all your help.  We're building quite a collection already.  The help with Cases is panning out, the help with protection for the cards was super helpful.  Also, I wanted to thank the many of you I've already purchased one or more auctions from on Ebay, and thank those of you who I haven't purchased from yet, in advance.  Everyone has been absolutely great in helping us start this great collection for ourselves, and our kids.  My older son is in love with it already, reminds me of my childhood and getting into collecting cards.  Some of my questions may be dumb, but I'm sure I will have more, and hopefully eventually, I can answer those 'dumb' questions for the next guy like me, haha.  After we get the cases we are going to buy, I'll post up a list of Spares/Wants, so I can hopefully deal for some things I need, and things some of you may need.  Thank you again all.  The wife and kids thank you too!

Alan
(and I can't forget Alicia, Logan, and Jude as well)

[alanwilcox83]

So previously Allender mentioned that some people matte and frame there favorite cards.  We like this idea, but really dont know where to start, so I was hoping that some of you that have done this, could post some pictures, or links to pictures, of your creations.  Or any other cool displays you may have.  Thanks in advance!

Alan

[ukpatriotsfan]

I framed my Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel Auto`s and costume cards about 2 years ago.What i did was to put them in the standard top loaders and had frames custom made at the following link (http://www.picturelizard.co.uk).My 2 frames are approx 3ft by 2ft and the best way for me was to put the top loaders in a rectangle and measured Height by width.If you do have frames made from the link i provided,check the measurement as i think they add 3mm to the Height and Width overall(explained on website).You can also choose If you want Plastic,wooden or Metal frames and thickness type.They also use styrene safety glass with UV stabilizer to prevent sunlight damage.If you are going to display very thick prop or costume cards you might want to put a note in with your order telling them that your frame/s will be housing items 3mm/5mm thick.I didn`t bother as the Auto`s and Costume cards fitted fine!

Oh my fingers hurt

[alanwilcox83]

Those frames are great ukpatriotsfan.  I was thinking you'd have a couple cards framed up, and you went all out....very nice.

So I contacted artbox about my C9 card, hopefully I get a response.  Anyhow, I also figured Id ask you guys another question.  I've got about 12 redemption cards now, from different sets.  Is it best to just send them all togheter.  Should I send them seperately?  In cases, out of cases?  Etc.  Any tips would be helpful.  Thanks!

[kbmum]

Before sending them to Artbox, you should check with them to make sure they still have those cards available.  If they do, send them together in individual sleeves and top loaders (Artbox will use them when they send the cards to you) and insure the package.  You might want to get a pre-paid Priority Mail or Express Mail envelope from your post office (I think you can also add delivery confirmation) and send that with the redemptions; otherwise, the cards will be shipped back via First Class Mail with no tracking.

[alanwilcox83]

Hey guys, new question for you.  I want to get good pictures or scans of the film cells in some of my cards.  But for the life of me, I cant pull it off.  I have a scanner, I have a digital camera, I've tried both.  Ive seen pretty good pictures of them on ebay, but I cant replicate anything.  Any suggestions?  Thanks guys.

Alan

[kbmum]

If you don't have a light box, put a white background on your computer screen, like a new word processing document.  Prop the card on the monitor so the white background is behind it, then try taking pictures with and without the flash.  The background will light up the cells so you can see the images.

You may find that some pictures show the card really well, and others are better for the cell.  You can put these pictures in PhotoShop, cut the cell from one photo and insert it into the photo with the better shot of the card.