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Get some binders and pages already, dumb-ass!

 
Apologies for the negative self-talk in the blog title here. This isn't about you, it's all me, and I need to work on that.

But I thought if I wrote things out I'd finally get myself into gear. I've needed a few binders and the pages that go with them for several months now.

The completed -- or about to be completed -- sets are piling up. I don't like stashing complete sets in boxes, that's a terrible fate for something so carefully crafted. So they are stacked and waiting all around the card room, and, yes, a couple are in boxes as a last resort.

In stacks are my complete 2024 Heritage set and my soon-to-be-complete 2024 Topps flagship set. Another stack contains what I have for 1987 Fleer. It's a long way from completion, but it's there, quietly telling me that a binder is needed for that, too.

Two sets that should be in binders are now in boxes -- the almost complete 2024 Heritage minis set and the getting-there 1985 Donruss set. These guys need to breathe, in an open-and-spacious binder!

And I still need to upgrade a couple more Dodgers binders -- as always.
 
Now, as you can see by the photo above, I am not particular about the binders used. I don't need to have them all one color or all match -- the kind you see on the social medias that get all the likes and comments. That's not me, who has the time? So getting a few binders shouldn't be difficult, just pick up some down at the nearby retail outlet. COME ON!
 
You can also see from that photo that I've run out of room. With a little reorganizing, I could uncover a little space, but I hesitate to break up my little display up top. 
 
This is probably a reason why I've procrastinated in adding those needed binders because then I'd have to address somewhat major reorganization that could potentially lead to what I'm desperately trying to avoid -- storing compete sets in boxes. (It also could lead -- through the domino effect -- to the tossing of cards, which I really don't want to see happen).
 
Oh, I know what you're saying, "what about that other shelf unit in there? ..."
 
 
 
Yeah.
 
Don't ever come after me for double-bagging.
 
So hopefully this will get me to take action -- and hopefully it's this weekend.
 
Then you won't see me for a few weeks while I try to reorganize everything while also attempting to go through all my Dodgers duplicates, which I do every year at this time.
 
To relieve this slightly depressing post, I have a handful of recent arrivals that actually do have a place for them in binders already!
 
 

Here are three former needs from the 1970 Fleer Laughlin World Series set from Jim, a.k.a mr haverkamp. Love these dearly.

One of the beauties of these cards is they're so brightly colored and so oddball and also so vintage that it doesn't matter if they're off-center or a bit worn. In fact, like 1950s cards, I prefer it.
 
All of my Laughlin cards go into a random vintage binder that includes sets from the '50s and '60s -- stuff I do not ever intend to complete. But then there are the Laughlin cards, which I do intend to complete. Like I said, it's random. Oh, and also it contains 2003 Topps cards and 2008 Upper Deck Timeline and, yeah, some 1971 Milk Duds. I definitely need to reorganize some binders.
 
 
 
This is the most recent 1975 Topps buyback for my quest. It showed up in an envelope from Adam of Thoughts and Sox. He collects Bill Virdon cards and he landed a duplicate of this card with the stamp rudely placed over Virdon's face.

The Yankees checklist is the 518th card in the 660-card set that I have in buyback form, which rounds up to 78.5 percent. Woo!

This will go in the large binder I have that houses my '75 Topps set and the buybacks, along with stuff like '75 O-Pee-Chee and '75 design tributes. I need this type of binder for my 2024 Heritage set and the minis.

So, let's get to it, dumb-ass! Go! Go! Go!!!

Don't buy a single card until you do it!

(Yeah, like that's going to happen).

Comments

Old Cards said…
Buying binders and pages is not only a hassle, but also having to outlay cash for them that could be spent on cards.
Angus said…
Do you have a preferred size for binders? I have some extra ones that I can bring you depending on size.
night owl said…
I just ordered a 3-inch one for my '24 Heritage sets. But most of mine are 2-inch binders. 2- or 3-inch D rings work best.
I have a lot of binders sitting in my BCW cart, but they had zero 9 pocket pages 100ct boxes and I need a lot of them. We'll see how long they sit.
Angus said…
I'll see what I have and might be able to bring a few when I come down next.
POISON75 said…
Some of the pictures remind me of all the sets I've made through the years glad to see that I am not only 1 not fully organized yet.
Big Tone said…
Different color binders makes it easier to differentiate. As long they're all D-rings.
GCA said…
I so wish it was cheap to ship binders. I used to get them for free from work - picked through pallet sized piles for all the D-rings.
Fuji said…
I'm running into the same issue of space myself. Love your idea of turning around every other binder. I might have to try it out, but not quite ready to utilize the double bag strategy. But maybe one day.
Grant said…
Man, I know that feeling. I swear my card shelves are going to fall through the floor into the basement downstairs.
Doc Samson said…
Yes, D rings are the best. My favorite set in a binder is 2011 Topps. One of the few sets where foil really shines (no pun intended) and the photography is hitting all cylinders.
Mightymango360v said…
I'm glad that I am not the only one that has the problem you have. They ALL deserve to be in pages and binders. Also I like that you do what I do with the card on the spine. I have gotten really lazy with them so I just buy 2 and 3 inch ones on Amazon now as needed.
bryan was here said…
My long-term goal is to have my entire card collection in binders. I have over 160,000 cards in my collection, but I'm well over halfway there. I can remember buying the old BCW 9T PVC pages, which I still have, but the best ones for me are the UltraPro Platinums. 3" binders are my go-to but I love when I find 4" or even a 5" binder.
Matt said…
I just pull stuff out and reuse a binder for something I find more important such as my 90s sets and 90s players. I pull out the new stuff for it
Zippy Zappy said…
Does this mean you already used the binders I sent you? If so wow.
Wax Nostalgic said…
So glad to have found this blog! First off congrats on completing the 24 Heritage! This is the set that got me back in the hobby since going dormant in 91. I just need to finish out the SP's. Love having cards in binders, but buying the supplies is no fun (though worth it in the end). Now I'm motivated to go buy a couple of binders myself. Good luck with reorganizing!
Nick said…
I live in a constant state of needing binders and pages. I'm not particular about the binders I use at all - I've gotten most of them at Goodwill for 50 cents. But at least a few of my binders seem to be overflowing at any given time, and if not that then I don't have any pages to put new cards in.
AdamE said…
If you have a college in your area, since they are technically government they are not allowed to throw things away. Most colleges (and even cities) have surplus stores that they sell off all their excess/surplus items. (some do monthly auctions) With the world going more and more paperless binders colleges are eliminating shelving units and binders faster than they can get rid of them. The last time I went to the ASU surplus they had a pallet of used 6" binders. The price was $1 for as many as you wanted, I took like 10. I wish you were closer and I would give you a half dozen or so.

I see Syracuse has a store https://dailyorange.com/2014/10/excess-property-store-gives-new-life-to-old-university-furniture-electronics/