Intense Heat and a Collection

Posts: 1193 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:55 am

With an impending move overseas, my collection stored in many boxes needs to be put someplace, and it's going to be in Phoenix, AZ, near my sister. Either I can put it all in her non-air conditioned garage or in an air conditioned storage compartment. Is the intense summer heat of Phoenix going to wreck havoc on all those books, boardgames and lead/pewter miniatures? The most valuable stuff and artwork can go in a closet in her home, but the rest would be exposed to the heat of the garage but out of the sunlight. Those of you in Texas may have a good answer for this... please advise... Very Happy

Posts: 995 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:18 am

I think dry heat is OK. We get some pretty hot temps anywhere in Australia and I've not found problems with my books. Humidity is the real killer. I had a some books and mods with me when I was living in Rangoon. April's are high 30 degrees C average and total humidity - and mould grows everywhere.

Posts: 342 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:10 am

HermitFromPluto wrote:

I think dry heat is OK. We get some pretty hot temps anywhere in Australia and I've not found problems with my books. Humidity is the real killer. I had a some books and mods with me when I was living in Rangoon. April's are high 30 degrees C average and total humidity - and mould grows everywhere.

Damp or humidity is a killer. But wouldn't high heat also damage anything with binding glue?

Posts: 995 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:35 am

JZavoda wrote:

Damp or humidity is a killer. But wouldn't high heat also damage anything with binding glue?

I guess it is a question of length of time exposed. And each climate is different, so my experiences are probably not relevant. mandalaymoon, there are probably some dealers in rare books in Phoenix - why don't you see if you can contact a business there and see if they have any advice?

Posts: 1193 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:05 am

Most RPG books don't have glue bindings so maybe if I separate them out. Phoenix is certainly dry... I don't think anything can survive the heat and humidity of Rangoon summers with limited electricity for AC... Wink

Posts: 342 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:22 am

mandalaymoon wrote:

Most RPG books don't have glue bindings so maybe if I separate them out. Phoenix is certainly dry... I don't think anything can survive the heat and humidity of Rangoon summers with limited electricity for AC... Wink

Some of the older ones used the glue binding. I think FGU as publisher used it quiet a bit. Aren't all the TSR square bound books bound with glue?

Posts: 246 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:40 am

If you do store the items in the garage, make sure they are sealed in air tight containers to prevent the various insect life from finding their way into your collection. However, I believe most sealable, plastic storage containers will release chemicals over time which can damage/stain paper. Unless someone knows of a container that is a little more collection friendly, I would opt for air conditioned storage. Just my two copper pieces. Smile

Posts: 2559 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:54 pm

Air conditioned storage would be the way I would go. But if you decide that the garage is your option, you might want to think about setting whatever containers you store your collection in on wooden pallets. They will keep them several inches off the floor and prevent any accidental flooding from damaging the boxes. I know Phoenix probably doesnt get a whole lot of flash floods, but if the hot water heater is in or near the garage, it might not be a bad idea. I had several boxes of comics get damaged from a leaky hot water heater about ten years ago. If I had just elevated them off the floor a bit, I wouldnt have had any problems. You can usually get the pallets from the local Wal-Mart or Target. Some places dont mind if you take a few, but it would be safe to ask first.

And depending how high you plan on stacking your boxes, crates, containers, etc...you might also consider buying a roll of Mover's plastic wrap to surround everything with to keep it from teetering and falling over. You can buy them from U-Haul and other similar places.

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:27 pm

And post a note on every bin, box, bundle, stack and storage container:

"Dear Family Members:

This is not junk. Please do NOT throw it away, give it to a charity, sell it in a church bazarre, flea market, Goodwill or any other organization no matter how much they beg.

To repeat. THIS IS NOT JUNK AND I WANT THESE ITEMS KEPT FOR MY RETURN!

Should I die, give these items to my heirs and have them get the entire collection appraised!

NO SERIOUSLY......THIS STUFF IS VALUABLE AND I WANT TO KEEP IT!"

Your loving son and brother."

Put the note on the outside over every container and a copy lying on top of the items inside.

Very Happy

Posts: 342 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:37 pm

FormCritic wrote:

And post a note on every bin, box, bundle, stack and storage container:

"Dear Family Members:

This is not junk. Please do NOT throw it away, give it to a charity, sell it in a church bazarre, flea market, Goodwill or any other organization no matter how much they beg.

To repeat. THIS IS NOT JUNK AND I WANT THESE ITEMS KEPT FOR MY RETURN!

Should I die, give these items to my heirs and have them get the entire collection appraised!

NO SERIOUSLY......THIS STUFF IS VALUABLE AND I WANT TO KEEP IT!"

Your loving son and brother."

Put the note on the outside over every container and a copy lying on top of the items inside.

Very Happy

Of course what your family will read is this:

Please do NOT throw it away,

Give it to a charity, sell it in a church bazarre, flea market, Goodwill or any other organization

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:45 pm

Oh...geez...you're so right, Jason! Mad

How about just:

Dear Family:

If this container and its contents are not right here and undamaged when I return I will disown you.

Then...I will KILL YOU!

Your Loving Brother.

Posts: 1007 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:47 pm

Actually put the first one on the outside and the second on the insides along with a list of items in each box, says that you also have a copy of the list as well and will be checking the contents of each when you get back... and "What they hell are you doiong opening the box!"

LOL

Brette:)

Posts: 342 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:52 am

beasterbrook wrote:

Actually put the first one on the outside and the second on the insides along with a list of items in each box, says that you also have a copy of the list as well and will be checking the contents of each when you get back... and "What they hell are you doiong opening the box!"

LOL

Brette:)

You need to string some live grenades around the boxes (of course you'd need to protect the boxes from any possible damage and/or blood.

Posts: 1440 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:03 am

JZavoda wrote:

You need to string some live grenades around the boxes (of course you'd need to protect the boxes from any possible damage and/or blood.

Nice idea, but the plan has some downsides to it.
The bombs would of course demolish the box and the books inside.
Even a steel box would be damaged from the explosions of mutiple grenades going off at one time.

Poison needle traps and hidden pitfalls 10 feet deep with rigid poisoned spikes at the bottom, surrounding the boxes.
The stench of the first couple of bodies will of course keep others from coming any closer, thus securing the boxes from further inspection.
Thats the way to go. Wink

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:50 pm

Aneoth wrote:

Nice idea, but the plan has some downsides to it.
The bombs would of course demolish the box and the books inside.
Even a steel box would be damaged from the explosions of mutiple grenades going off at one time.

Poison needle traps and hidden pitfalls 10 feet deep with rigid poisoned spikes at the bottom, surrounding the boxes.
The stench of the first couple of bodies will of course keep others from coming any closer, thus securing the boxes from further inspection.
Thats the way to go. Wink

Possibly...develop some sort of psychic power that allows you to slap your relatives across the face whenever they think about even moving your boxes?

Posts: 342 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:26 pm

Aneoth wrote:

Nice idea, but the plan has some downsides to it.
The bombs would of course demolish the box and the books inside.
Even a steel box would be damaged from the explosions of mutiple grenades going off at one time.

Poison needle traps and hidden pitfalls 10 feet deep with rigid poisoned spikes at the bottom, surrounding the boxes.
The stench of the first couple of bodies will of course keep others from coming any closer, thus securing the boxes from further inspection.
Thats the way to go. Wink

He needs to turn the basement into a dungeon, maybe model it after tomb of horrors. Perhaps a mulcher instead of the sphere of annihilation.

Posts: 3999 · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:49 am

JZavoda wrote:

He needs to turn the basement into a dungeon, maybe model it after tomb of horrors. Perhaps a mulcher instead of the sphere of annihilation.

OK...to review...don't put your game collection in a basement. Just save time by wetting it down with a garden hose.

Posts: 123 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:46 pm

you absolutely should go with an air-conditioned storage facility if you can. imo the heat/cool heat/cool series of cycles is very bad for paper products. a constant temp & humidity is ideal.

Posts: 2130 · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:22 am

What is a good humiduty to store your collection at? Our humidity here is dry as a popcorn fart except the humidity in my basement is 65%(This is where I keep the majority of my collection by the way). Humidity upstairs is closer to 20%

Posts: 2559 · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:35 am

Optimal humidity range is probably somewhere between 40 and 50%. That is what experts agree on regarding comic books and other similar collectibles. Just make sure you have everything in mylar and use acid-free backing boards. Dont use polyethylene or polypropylene bags unless you plan on switching them out every few years.