Toploaders turning yellow

[Vintagevault13]

I am pretty much a set builder/binder guy, but I do collect Reggie Jackson cards. Most of his 70’s cards I own are graded, but I still need some of the 80’s Tiffany’s, stickers, etc. and I just can’t see paying for graded cards that I can buy for a dollar or so. As a result, I am looking at putting these cards in toploaders. I have noticed some of my old toploaders are yellowed (I think most of these were with cards I have purchased through the years). Is this a problem with more recent toploaders or am I safe to assume these were cheap toploaders (not BCW or Ultra Pro).


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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

I am pretty much a set builder/binder guy, but I do collect Reggie Jackson cards. Most of his 70’s cards I own are graded, but I still need some of the 80’s Tiffany’s, stickers, etc. and I just can’t see paying for graded cards that I can buy for a dollar or so. As a result, I am looking at putting these cards in toploaders. I have noticed some of my old toploaders are yellowed (I think most of these were with cards I have purchased through the years). Is this a problem with more recent toploaders or am I safe to assume these were cheap toploaders (not BCW or Ultra Pro).


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Ed, I haven't had that problem with any of the newer Ultra Pro top loaders I have purchased. I have seen yellowing occasionally with some older ones.

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[steve B]

It's hard to say. I have some that are yellowed, and some that are just as old that aren't. The new ones are probably better, but it may take a few years to find out.

I usually use a penny sleeve as well as the toploader. It helps avoid problems. And unless the collection gets really large replacing toploaders after a few years isn't all that expensive.

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

I am pretty much a set builder/binder guy, but I do collect Reggie Jackson cards. Most of his 70’s cards I own are graded, but I still need some of the 80’s Tiffany’s, stickers, etc. and I just can’t see paying for graded cards that I can buy for a dollar or so. As a result, I am looking at putting these cards in toploaders. I have noticed some of my old toploaders are yellowed (I think most of these were with cards I have purchased through the years). Is this a problem with more recent toploaders or am I safe to assume these were cheap toploaders (not BCW or Ultra Pro).


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You sound just like me, just sub in Brooks Robinson for Reggie Jackson. And I also have come across some of the old yellow ones in my single card boxes. I find them to be sort of brittle as well when they get that yellow tint to them. With toploaders so cheap I just replace them as I come across them. And when I get cards sent to me I usually save the toploaders but the yellowed one go into the recycling box under my desk.

I bet many of us remember the uproar over the PVC-laden pages. I still come across them in some of my binders. They ruined some of my Dexter Press Orioles photos.

[jason.1969]

All my top loaders from 30 years ago are yellow. None that I bought in the last 5 years are. (And I didn't buy any in the 25 intervening years.)

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[porkchops]

I have some as well and replace them .
I don't throw the yellowed ones out though.
.
Here's a picture of me circa 1954 taken with
an old Kodak (I guess) showing my support for the
2nd amendment .

and here's the same photo inside one of the questionable
top loaders ....

.
Just a thought ,
Ken

[Gary Dunaier]

The big question, which hasn't been addressed here, is: does the yellowing pose a risk to the cards?

[ALBB]

way back in the early days of sheets..used to be that big thing with PVA or PVC.. in the plastic ??

[Exhibitman]

I've purchased cards in piss-yellow top loaders that have been perfectly fine. Only damage I've ever seen from a yellowed holder is when it stuck to a card with UV coating.

[steve B]

Pretty much the same here. No damage that I've seen.

The worst combination for me was mylar sleeves in toploaders. The card simply would not come out. I had to cut the holder out from around it. No damage, but not something I'd enjoy repeating.