The most sought after comic books can reach prices of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The most valuable comic book, Action Comics #1 is listed at around $350,000 while Superman #1 goes for a hefty $210,000. These resale values make even the most amateur comic book reader take a second look at their collection.
Preservation is Key to High Comic Book Grade, Value
Cashing in your comic book collection might bring in as much as 6 figures, however it will bring in nothing if the condition of the books is poor. Comic books are graded on a scale from 1 to 10, and their peak value is only achievable if the book is in mint (grade 10) condition. There are several important steps to take to ensure a prized collection remains as perfect and crisp as the first day they were on the sales racks.
Steps for Preserving and Storing Comic Books
It is best for preservation to bag and store books as soon as possible (after reading them of course). You will need mylar bags, acid-free cardboard backings, cardboard DrawerBox boxes, scotch tape and silica gel. Then:
- Stick a piece of acid-free cardboard in the plastic mylar bag
- Slide the comic book into the bag, with its back to the cardboard backing and the bag flap
- Scotch tape the bag flap closed with a single piece of tape, an inch or so long, in the center of the flap
- Store the comics vertically in a watertight, acid-free comic book box. DrawerBoxes are the best for organization.
- Throw in some silica gel packs to reduce moisture.
- Store the boxes in a cool, dry, dark place like the back of a closet.
Recommended Types and Brands for Comic Book Archiving
- Bags - The best bags are 1mm thick Mylar-D bags. Polyethylene or polypropylene bags aren't as durable and will require replacement in several years. Mylar-D bags such as Arklite Mylar Bags are known to keep comics safe for decades. Also keep in mind that comic books come in different sizes depending on distributor and age, so make sure to keep several sizes on hand.
- Boards - Get acid-free cardboard backings that are sure to prevent mold, chemical reactions and yellowing, such as R-Kival brand Thin-X-Tender backings.
- Boxes - waterproof corrugated cardboard boxes are the best for storage and DrawerBox brand boxes will help with easy organization.
Long-Term Archiving Tips for Comic Books
Light, heat and humidity are the enemy of comic book preservation. Be sure to store comic book boxes in a cool, dry, dark place where they are safe from water and sunlight. Make sure to separate the comic you want from the each other before pulling one out and putting it back to avoid accidental crinkling of covers and pages. Also, wash hands before reading your archived comics again.
Comic Book Price Guides and Further Reading
Once you are ready to part with your collection, check out the latest price guides for how much your precious collection has increased in value. Wizard and Overstreet are the two main pricing guides for comic books. Also check out other preservation guides for handy tips.
- An Ounce of Preservation: A Guide to the Care of Paper and Documents by Craig A. Tuttle Rainbow Books (March 1995)
- Saving Stuff: How to Care For and Preserve Your Collectibles by Don Williams and Louisa Jaggar Fireside (May 31, 2005)
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