Storing Joes Long-Term

[Napkin Schematic]

So, I am getting older and have less space for displaying my favorite figures. After having kids and decreasing my personal space, I have decided to condense my collection into a format suitable for long term storage. I don't want to get rid of my joes, I just need to put them away for a while. I have all my loose figs in separate baggies and placed in an air tight container, but my MOC are just in boxes. Is there an efficient way to store these bad boys so that they take the least amount of space while decreasing the chance of damage to the cards?

Thanks.

[VideoViper]

Avoid basements attics & unregualted (temp) storage units. The temperture differences between winter/summer is what killed many of toys

[Napkin Schematic]

I will be storing them in my home. (I have some closet space.) I'm more concerned on how I should position them/what is the most safe/space efficient method to store them.

[turner]

I don't think there is a good way, I've got mine in cardboard boxes, the carded figures get shipped to the stores in cardboard boxes and they are designed to fit each other like that so that's my take.

[PhantomStranger]

Protective card shells are the best option, but it's awfully expensive.

The more price conscious and common method is the use of Comic book long boxes(Assuming the carded figures fit) and Comic book bags, I recommend silver age bags myself.

Some places even have Plastic Long boxes to prevent water damage. Now if you're storing them for a really long time(More than a month or so) you're going to want acid free comic bags, backings and possibly even an acid free box. Using a normal cardboard box will cause the acid to eat away at the card over time making the cards lose color among other damages.


Here is a clip form an old documentary demonstrating a pretty good way to store and protect toys.

In Love With Toys, Part 7 (1995) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO3Gtll_Y0U&feature=relmfu)

Now once everything is said and done you can simply stack the comic boxes on top of one another for easy storage.

[ozzie92]

This makes me very sad. A collection that cannot be displayed is a (collector) tragedy.

[speedlgt]

I have heard of putting figs in plastic bags and laying them flat then take a peice of cardboard lay it on top of them and stack more on top as big sandwich!! any way its meant to help with spreading the weight around evenly as opposed to throwing them in a box loose

[turner]

Where is this video from?

[PhantomStranger]

Where in the world is this video from?

An old documentary made in 1995. The guy behind the documentary has uploaded it to youtube, the transfer is from a VHS tape, so it can be a bit hard to hear at times and it has some static. But it is a good watch if you want a timewarp through collecting history. I must admit I'm fond of the ending to the doc, the thoughts and feelings expressed at the end are something I can strongly relate to.

Anyway, here it is you want to watch it. Part 2 is when the doc truly starts. It covers 59-68 early figures, G.I. Joe, Barbie, Captain Action, Aurora Model kits, etc.

In Love With Toys, Part 1 (1995) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpTIydrcP48)

In Love With Toys, Part 2 (1995) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIzv6cbuck0&feature=relmfu)

The rest of the parts can be found on Youtube.

[storm-shadow-md]

Protective card shells are the best option, but it's awfully expensive.

The more price conscious and common method is the use of Comic book long boxes(Assuming the carded figures fit) and Comic book bags, I recommend silver age bags myself.

Some places even have Plastic Long boxes to prevent water damage. Now if you're storing them for a really long time(More than a month or so) you're going to want acid free comic bags, backings and possibly even an acid free box. Using a normal cardboard box will cause the acid to eat away at the card over time making the cards lose color among other damages.


Here is a clip form an old documentary demonstrating a pretty good way to store and protect toys.

In Love With Toys, Part 7 (1995) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO3Gtll_Y0U&feature=relmfu)

Now once everything is said and done you can simply stack the comic boxes on top of one another for easy storage.

Love to see this kind of stuff.... even if it is from and old tape. Thanks for posting!

[PhantomStranger]

Love to see this kind of stuff.... even if it is from and old tape. Thanks for posting!

No problem. I actually came across it by accident. I was searching for a documentary called 'Toys we Remember',never found it on DVD or anything, but I did find the segment on Classic G.I. Joe from the documentary if you're interested.

History of G.I. Joe - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfkffztxITI)

[storm-shadow-md]

No problem. I actually came across it by accident. I was searching for a documentary called 'Toys we Remember',never found it on DVD or anything, but I did find the segment on Classic G.I. Joe from the documentary if you're interested.

History of G.I. Joe - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfkffztxITI)

Cool. One of the main things I love about the tank is the wealth of knowledge. It is great to see things like the history and how other people are preserving their toys. Thanks again for posting!

[firefox91]

I would have to say that Star Cases are far better than the comic bag and board method. Bag and board might be cheaper but the Star Case provides far better protection.