PSA vs. SGC

SetBuilder · #1 12-18-2018, 03:24 PM

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

mrvster · #2 12-18-2018, 03:27 PM

great question....I would assume so??

but you know what that means!

all my ojs are slabbed

ullmandds · #3 12-18-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

i'd assume NOT airtight!

jchcollins · #4 12-18-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?
I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.

True. The HOF if they put a card into any type of holder uses inert mylar. There is a site where you can buy products like this for cards, but I remember thinking they were very unconventional, in addition to being pretty pricey.

If you look at some of the older cards the Hall has in their collection and has used for images on calendars and the like - they used to write their collection numbers in pencil on the backs of many of the cards themselves. I would assume they don't still do this, but no way to know for sure.

oldjudge · #5 12-18-2018, 03:38 PM

I'm sorry for every card I ever had graded with SGC. PSA is the clear choice.

steve B · #6 12-18-2018, 05:57 PM

I asked SGC, and they are not airtight.
I believe PSAs slabs are also not airtight.

Now whether they have enough air transfer to prevent problems is another thing. We do know that there are PSA slabs with acidic cardboard that have been sealed for over 25 years, and they seem fine. But archivists look for more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Are slabs airtight?

I was thinking about this the other day when it comes to slabbed Old Judge cards...

Those cards have organic material on the surface that is basically decomposing very very slowly and releasing tiny amounts of gas (sulfur?). If the air is trapped inside the slab and can't circulate, then it is probably speeding up the decomposition of the images.

I read an article that the Hall of Fame removes all cards from slabs because they're not sure what the long term effects are.