Great topic MIke. When I got back into collecting I kept sets in boxes and then switched to binders. I have the 2nd biggest bedroom in the house as my card room and will eventually run out of space. I have over 150 sets complete in binders and many others in binders in progress of completion. Looking back now I probably should have stuck to boxes but I actually like sitting down and filling in pages.
This old video should up in my feed today and I couldn’t stop laughing from an empathic POV. I do keep all my vintage sets in binders that are placed on a nice oak bookcase. I totally get where you’re coming from when it come to the cost of sheets, binders, along with any other idiosyncrasies collectors have when displaying their cards. It’s a crazy rabbit hole to go down, but for some reason i still do it. I’ll actually say to myself sometimes, no card buying this weekend cause we need to buy supplies instead. I don’t like cards without a home to go to! And I am glad someone out there can confirm the back issues that occur while placing cards in sheets. This is a great video, Mike. Thanks!
I have cards for partial Tigers and Lions team sets that aren’t in binders yet because I don’t have enough cards from that particular year/set to put in a binder. I feel almost like I don’t even own them until they graduate to the binder.
I have never seen the same person make great points of view for both sides of this debate LOL. I watched the entire video and I feel if someone had the space "binders" would be the way to go. Yes it cost a ton of time and money, but it makes your collection so much easier and fun to look through.
I have the perfect solution. You tell Juilie she can have your card room & transform it to whatever she wants. You then get to have the entire Ranch and turn it into your mini Cooperstown...charging admission as people walk through the turnstiles. Bill HoF Collector can be in charge of management, Jimmy Gunz of security, Calebs Cards can run the popcorn stand & Jake the leprechaun can dance around outside & take pictures with the kids as The Ranch's mascot
Hey Mike, Phenomenal video! This topic of displaying and storing a collection is one that I think is not discussed enough. How each person displays their collection is different based on many different aspects. I would love to see this as a topic on golden age of cardboard or beyond cardboard. Hearing the perspective of different collectors on their rationale of why and how they store and display their collection would be incredibly interesting
Great video. I just started a side project for Topps Yankees sets starting from my birth year of 1970. I love it because it’s like a photo album of my favorite team in my favorite brand. I’m not as concerned with their condition, as my higher end stuff and favorite cards are in boxes, cases or displayed. Thanks again!
I have the 2005 and 2006 Turkey Red sets in a binder. I mixed all the basketball, football and baseball together. It looks great and it’s a cool uniform multi sport approach. Love to scroll through that binder every now and then
Great video Mike! I’ve struggled with the same issues. I’d love to have my sets in binders. The cost and time will always be a factor for me, but hopefully in a couple of years I’d have the space to store them. So I don’t have to worry about that. But another factor for me that you didn’t bring up is a lot of my sets are factory sealed sets. So to put them in binders I’d have to open them up and I’d rather keep them unopened. So that would mean I’d have to buy a hand built set as well to put in a binder. Like you said, all those things aside, I would much prefer to store my cards in binders so I could look through them easier rather than having them in a box on a shelf and never see the light of day. On some level it defeats the purpose of owning them if you’re never going to look at them. Again, great discussion!
I use both binders for what I really enjoy looking at often and storage box for the ones I do not look at often. Completely understand when you said going into a rabbit hole. Glad you caught yourself and that the Mrs. allowed a room for cards. :) Thank you for sharing
Interesting topic! I'm in the binder set > boxed set as well. The few sets I have binder'ed I'll find myself pulling from time to time to flip through. Boxed sets I have basically never come out. But the space consideration is absolutely spot on and paramount if/when planning to convert a large box set collection. The first step of that process should indeed be establishing how and where you're storing/displaying those binders. Then moving onto the supply cost and time considerations. I find hobby projects like binder'ing sets to be therapeutic and enjoyable, so the time factor would be time well spent to me.
Love the topic Mike. I have about 6 binder sets but they are cards I already had . For my newer sets I have been putting them in boxes. I do have a question for you though, do you store the binders you have upright or lay them down?
Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the binder. I started collecting baseball cards in 1990 and began with binders. For 15 years collected over 100 sets in binders as well as star players having their own binder. As the price of cards spiraled upwards I made a transition to collecting my favorite team. I have in binders all the topps team cards from 1955 to 2022 in 7 binders. I love to pull them out to view at any time. I have also collected my team from first year to present (Allen & Ginter}, Topps Heritage and Gypsy Queen). At any time I can pull from alphabetically by year the binder I want to see. If you can't easily view your collection it defeats the whole purpose of having one. I can't imagine starting from scratch to assemble a large collection all at once like yours, Good luck friend.
I love binders although I am not a set collector. I enjoy the feel of flipping through a binder to enjoy the fruits of collecting more than pulling handfuls of cards out of boxes.
Binders can also damage cards particularly the ones on the left side of the page closest to the ring or if the binder is full it can damage the cards in the first few pages. I collect sets, had started with binders but now use boxes. I sort them in numerical order and sleeve up hall of famers. Whenever I leave this world it will also be easier for my wife or whoever gets the cards to ship them in boxes rather than binders.
Great topic Mike. Really enjoyed listening to all your points. It sounds like you have a meticulous thought process when it comes to collecting. I'll bet that type of logical thinking serves you well in most instances. I love the look of sets in binders although that's not how I typically collect. Cheers Mike appreciated the insight
Like you, I have every Topps base set back to 1973. '73-2001 in binders, 2002 -2020 in boxes. The thing I hate.....the cards from 2002 and beyond I haven't actual seen other than a small fraction of them. I do think about selling all of them, because if I'm not going to look at them and enjoy them.....why do I have them??
Great video on a topic that a lot of us have struggled with. I've gone back and forth more times than I can remember. You raised so many thinking points and I could only think of one (unless I missed it and you did mention) I would ask. While yes, it's nice to flip through a binder...how much more would you actually do that if they were in an album? I realized I don't go through them that often, personally. Again, great video. I like ones that make us think.
I've been tossing this idea back and forth not for all my sets but for my 1975 set once I complete it, it was the first set I ever did as a kid and am in the process of redoing it. I'd secured the Brett, Yount and Ryan so I figured there was no reason not to finish it off am about 75% there hope by 2022 i'll have it done
I like having sets in binders. If I buy the set from target I keep the box and put in the binder. Its fun opening them up and organizing them by series 1 and 2 then putting them together 1 through 700. I buy my binders from Target if they have them stocked up. Space is everything so I don't have all my cards in binders.
I'm using monster boxes to store my cards, at least as long as I don't complete a set (I'm a set collector, and tend to avoid buying them already collated or new and sealed). Once I am able to complete a set or subset, I move it to a binder. Years ago I was only going for Ultra Pro collectors Album, but later switched to regular office-type ones, so that the only extra money that I must spend on top of cards goes into pages. I dream to one day fill a full book case of binder, and still be chasing cards to complete other sets
Top 27 cards of each of your 20 years of sets would be 60 total pages, 1 total binder, and give you a little room for future sets I think. Thatd probably be the route I'd go.
Love binders! That being said, I actually went through the process a couple years ago and got rid of my set binders and put them in boxes purely due to space. I do have a handful of special binders for various reasons under 10. I LOVE turning through binders and watching videos of them but I just can’t store them properly right now even if I wanted to! Ha! Have a good one!
Although if you collected mid 90’s Upper Deck and stored them in a box , you now have an 8-900 cards long brick. Upper Deck and other photo quality sets from that time period al stick together unless you penny sleeve at least every other card.
I used binders when I started but like you said they took up to much space and cost to much with the pages. I don't have many sets but I put my cards in sleeves, toploader for better cards then in card box's. I like how they stack nice and keeps them safe.
Mike, good chatting with you on the topic of cards in Binders. I think binders are the best way to store and look at raw cards. Completely understand the time space and cost issues and I agree with you and would say no. However, I have a few sets, but I’m no longer a set collector and now focus on smaller insert sets if there is one that I particularly like. For example, this year I’m collecting the Topps Gallery Heritage (40 card) set based on the 54 Topps set with artist renderings from Kevin Graham. Takes up much less space and still fun to collect. Thanks for the chat again.
I’m with you on both how cool the Heritage sets are and OCD. I’ve collected many of the sets. Still need some SPs for a few. I’m a binder guy!! I flip thru them all from time to time. I buy pages 1000 at a time and binders at Goodwill. I’ll go look for my 2008 commons and let you know. Nice video, it hits home for me. I’m excited that 1972 is on the way (my favorite all time design), going to stop at 1985 (is what I tell myself).
Binders are my primary storage and has been for many years.Yes I have a room of my own with bookshelves lining one wall,it is costly but I guess I think its worth it. Stadium club was the set that got me started down the rabbit hole in 91,I thought they look so good they must be displayed,and that led to putting everything in binders down the road,I dont have display cases or other this is my baby I guess to have my library of binders,right now I am working on a way to have a velcro cover over my entire shelves to keep dust out.In the beginning I was able to buy binders with sleeves for them but not now,they are available but super pricy now,great episode very relateable subject
Mike, when you get more space for your cards, I think sets in binders will be more realistic for you. Space is a legit reason to keep your sets in boxes, for now. My main strong opinionated point I wanted to make is that cards in a collection that are never looked at seem like a waste to own. Let someone else own them that will look at them. I do get people who store wax or sets to eventually flip for profit, in boxes, but your "collecting". I think you will enjoy your 'whole collection' a lot more when you have space to store binders.
I love how sets look in binders and put my 2020 Heritage set in one. Looks great but it's going back to a box. Like yourself, I don't have anywhere to put the binders or space to give up for it. Before the binder, my Heritage set was never in the way and now I have this binder I don't know what to do with. Someday maybe but for now I like my boring boxes
Totally think you should do it if you love the sets. I get the OCD. Spend the time to figure out exactly how you want to store them when they're in the binders and go for it. Maybe even a custom shelf for your sets (a set beast).
Great every day conversation. I put everything in top loaders. I like to store and look at my cards that way. Especially, my vintage sets. Costs me more but I had binders for years and changed over 5 years ago.
Good topic. Let me preface with people can collect whatever way they want and for whatever reason they want. I enjoy content for things I generally do not collect like autgraphs, complete sets and modern cards I enjoy people sharing what they are passionate about. . My personal philosophy is that if I cannot display it be it in a binder or in my card room then I don’t collect it. I have over 2000 graded cards and don’t have the room to display all of them at once, but I designed my room in a way where I rotate them out through out the year. I have also been making content on you tube since Novemberto show the rest. The few complete sets I do have are in binders. For me, I don’t see the point in cards sitting in boxes or even worse sealed boxes. They are meant to be looked at. Unless you collect and display sealed wax or something like that. I have a valuable collection and I am not going to say value is not important to me, but the passion for collecting and to share what I have comes first. My 401k, bonds, precious metals are investments that are stored away. A collection is to be enjoyed and shared. Just my two cents. Thanks again for the great topic.
100% get what you're saying here and for me it all comes down to how practical it is for me. I love the look of cards in binders. I love being able to flip through the pages. I love having them all lined up on display. However, I have limited space to work with and I also have to think about potential moves. If I were in a large place and living back in the US without having to move often I would probably go the all binder route. However I have to always consider that I live abroad and what's the best way and safest way to move my collection around and that's in boxes.
I love sets in binders, but it is expensive time consuming and not space friendly. I used to have most of my sets back in the day. Now with my Red Sox collection I put all my non auto and relic cards in binders. It is expensive for supplies, I have spent thousands over the years but spread out. If it doesn’t work for you now maybe in the future it will. Thanks for sharing Mike.
What cards do you like the best in those sets and want to enjoy most often? Let's say its the Rangers cards. How about a small number of binders for the Rangers only, and the rest stay in boxes? I've done that with some sets. But not the rangers, LOL 😂 Nothing beats cracking open a binder and looking at it.
I put all my childhood cards In binders. I was going to put the cards in numerical order by set. 8 hours later and 1 set finished I was done with numerical order. 22 binders later and 2 home moves I wish I left them in a box. Storage is definitely an issue. I do enjoy having PC team binders that I can add to
I agree! Cards do look awesome in binders! I never got into doing binders though because I feel like they take up too much space. Also I never really felt that the cards are well protected in binders. Nice topic for conversation! Take care!
I love binders and sets but it's definitely offset by a cost/price aspect. Like you, the limited space effects things so I've mainly focused on "Insert" sets and keep them in just 2-3 binders sorted by sport rather than trying to break them up by year or brand. It's helped pare down on the totality of the cards while still offering the visual thrill of flipping through.
I found a deal on Amazon for 2 4" for $16, at my local supermarkets the 4" binders are about $12 each. The thrift store though I can find 3" and smaller for $.99
I don't look at my card sets enough to justify the time, money and space it would take to put them in binders. Agree with all your points. Thanks for the vid!
I love heritage too. I put my Reds team sets in a binder to display. 2001-2020 fit in one binder. I put my other heritage commons in boxes in the closet. Maybe you could do a Rangers heritage binder? Have the best of both worlds.
I’m a binder set builder but space will only allow so much. so for me I’m working on all Topps football sets from the 80’s along with the Score 89.Luck for me football sets are half the size of baseball sets.also collecting my favorite years in baseball only But looking through a set in a binder is a blast from the past, from the uniforms of that era to the card designs.
I am SUPER pro-binder, as you already know Mike. It is a big commitment and undertaking- but it’s totally worth it in my opinion. That being said, the space thing is where I can understand. Maybe I’ll show off the baseball room space soon! 😉
This is particularly why I stopped collecting unopened wax boxes: I have no space to continue stashing boxes. I also stopped and considered costly issues when thinking of placing together Caramel vintage sets from 1909 in graded form. Not enough space and not enough money to tackle these types of projects, even though it would be neat.
The only sets I collect annually are Heritage for the same reasons.... I've collected sets as a kid and now well into my 60's. All my sets, 1964 to present are in binders except for the key rookies. All cards are in a penny sleeve in the plastic pages. I find the best way to store the binders are laying them down, not standing up. I've built custom shelves for them. My favorite way to look at the cards are in runnjng pages in complete sets so for me its most satisfying. The cost is well worth the on going enjoyment and pleasure I get from looking at them. And that's what its all about for me.
I think putting sets in binders is awesome, but it will take up a lot more room and the sets might not be as valuable opened. How often will you look through them? I would want to look through them all at least once a year for it to be worth it. I recently discovered the joy of flipping through binders while watching vintage games on youtube!
You sorted cards in binders when you were a kid or you had them in shoe boxes with rubbers bands for a couple of years? I do agree with you when you love something( the last Physical item) you should go for it, but your also right how many hours are there in a day you want to watch other videos I understand that. I love all different ways of storing your cards 1. shoebox with rubberbands I have my 1979's and 1980 commons 2. I love sheets and binders I have my 1980 star players , 1981 star players like Ken Griffey, Robin Yount, Keith Hernandez , Dwight Evens, Dave Parker alot of cards some Montreal Canadiens from the 1985 /86 , some all time greats green and orange cards in binders 3. cards in hard plastic to many to name but I do have the 1976 Brock, 1974 Rollie Fingers 4. screw downs I have 1974 Dave Parker, 1975 George Brett, 1979 Ozzie Smith , 1980 Rickey Henderson 5. snap it's I have my 1971 Graig Nettles and 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken error 6 . 3 graded cards 1979 Nolan Ryan, 1984 Mattingly , the 5,000 strike out card of Ryan that I won in your contest. I love all different ways to store cards but binders are great because you can look at 9 cards at one time . where if you have 9 players in hard plastics if you have them spread out on a table yes you can see them but if you have cards in your hand you won't have 9 you can look then go to the next card but in your hand you can't look at 9 but with sheets and binders you can.
I agree with most of your pros and cons. I do use binders for my sets, the main reason is I want to visually enjoy the sets, if they are in binders I can do that easily without damaging the cards. If they are in boxes every time I want to browse through them there is a greater chance the cards get damaged. Like I said I see both sides but for me personally, I really need to be able to visually enjoy my cards to maximize my hobby enjoyment.
There is a cost and binders take up space so i have limit my collecting. Have focused on only certain sets graded because space and cost. My office (card room) has a built in closet to display and store. Focus on what i can afford but it is hard to look at 664 graded card set Made this choice don,t know the right answer have to do what works for you.
If I were to open a sealed set, I would take out only those cards most meaningful to me, such as key rookies, and store those in top loaders (or card savers or one-touches). The rest of the cards would stay in the original set box. Over time I could always "promote" a card from the set box to a top loader. To each their own, but for me this would be the best compromise. I get to see the cards most meaningful to me, don't need to worry about binder damage to cards, and am still using the economical and space-saving set box storage approach. :)
I have some of the smaller sets ..300 cards or less in binders..They take up a lot of space but I like looking at them so I will leave them..I am also working on a 1967 Topps foot ball set and a 1987 Fleer basketball set which I put in binders..works out better than in a box..Binders are a convience but money and space wise not so much..
Binders are time consuming to populate and expensive if you plan to put several sets in binders. I strike a balance between binder presentation and space efficiency by purchasing ultra pro ten page (90 pocket) collector albums and put together raw hall of famer (+ Pete Rose) sets. Those are the cards I want to see anyway. I'm working on 1973 Topps + O Pee Chee in the 90 pocket binder.
The space was an important point.... make sure you have the space. I don’t put sets in binders, but I put almost not quite good enough for top loaders in binders, my minis in binders, and rookies (not top loader worthy) in binders... Long story short I’m thinking of going to boxes for all because of space.
I completely get the collector mentality - "guilty as charged". I also understand the limits of collecting. I once had the mentality of a memorabilia room or an entire basement and building shelves and having closets full of shit. I completely understand. Then I realized I wasn't 12 anymore and had to become a serious collector. Any advice I could give (hate me or love me) to the hoarding collector that has to have everything. Stop it. Sell all the worthless stuff and focus on extremely important items and have one - yes I said one - nice display cabinet with only the best stuff you can afford and let go of the "have it all" mentality because you're only kidding yourself. I'm not meaning just you Mike, but all of us have to realize that at some point. Focus on quality NOT quantity.
Looks to me as if you're running out of space. If you have no other rooms in your house where you can have your collection I would think the best solution would be to build an extension on your house for your mancave. I met somebody a few years ago who was building an extension on his house. He needed the extra room for his massive collection.
That would be one solution. If I am bitching about the relatively small cost of binders and pages then I really don’t want to allocate money to building an addition on my house. Plus, there is no where at my current house to do that.
@@BaseballCollector I met somebody a few years ago who had over 5,000 bobbleheads. His mancave wasn't big enough for his bobbleheads so he built an extension on his house.
@@BaseballCollector A few months you showed everybody your second home that you were going to rehab. When I first saw that video I thought you were going to use that house for your collection.
Was really expecting a condition issue comparison. Not a price issue. Your just cheap. I don't like binders for condition issues like chrome cards curl and if they are in boxes. You can put enough padding to stop any card curling unlike having cards in plastic. No support to stop any curling
I have mostly boxes because binders take up a lot of space. But recently I started doing binders with duplicate cards, that way I can do small PCs, show off carda for trades and not being stuck with displaying the same thing over and over
Mike, so this is what I pictured in my head when you talked about going down the rabbit hole. There was a Bugs Bunny cartoon where The Martian turns Bugs into a rage monster rabbit. I think that's the hole you were going down. Yes, the cost, the space, the time, and the back pain of being hunched over for hours. Yes, they look damn nice in binders, but ...... And just like you I am waiting for the magic fairy to bless me with cash, space, time, and younger body parts to do all of this stuff. Oh well! Thanks for the video.
