Hands-on history the case for keeping comics readable
Comic book collecting isn’t just about protecting paper. For many, it’s about more than slabs or plastic enclosures. It’s about holding a piece of history—feeling the textures, flipping through pages, and appreciating the stories as they were originally meant to be experienced. While some collectors prioritize preservation for resale value, others believe comics should be handled and read.
Preservation Beyond Plastic
There’s a joy in holding a comic from decades ago, where the paper feels aged, and the colours have softened with time. For those who choose to leave their comics unencased, this experience matters more than its market value. Owning a comic from the Silver or Bronze Age, or any age for that matter, isn’t about obsessing over pristine condition—it’s about reliving history. Many of these collectors grew up reading these issues, and there’s a personal connection in holding something you’ve enjoyed for years. A comic in hand feels like a link to the past, not just an item tucked away behind glass.
Why the Stories Still Matter
Comics are storytelling, first and foremost. The art, the narratives, the creative risks—these are what made many of us fall in love with the medium. For collectors who avoid sealing their comics in slabs, part of the allure is the ability to revisit these stories. The comic wasn’t created to sit untouched in a vault. It was made to be read, appreciated, and shared. Older issues, with their imperfect printing processes, carry a raw, almost personal touch that is lost in modern digital replicas. The experience of turning through the original pages, seeing every ink dot and imperfection, brings the art and story closer to home.
Sure, you could read a reprint or go digital, but the charm of the original is in those details: a slightly faded cover, some uneven print, the feel of the paper and oh, that smell, that smell that only paper plus print can achieve. It’s the nostalgia of seeing art in its intended form—up close and personal.
Wear Doesn’t Mean Neglect
There’s an understanding among those who keep their comics readable. Yes, the condition is important, but it’s not the only thing. A comic with slight wear doesn’t mean it wasn’t taken care of—it means it was enjoyed. A few creases? That’s part of its story. Rather than obsessing over preserving perfection, these collectors strike a balance between maintaining the comic’s integrity and actually enjoying it. Sometimes, these comics are carefully handled and stored in climate-controlled environments but remain accessible because reading them matters.
Some might argue that any wear devalues the comic, but there’s another perspective: a well-loved comic shows its history. It reflects the hands that have turned its pages, the people who’ve read and shared it over the years.
The Heart of Collecting
Comics from the 60s and 70s take many collectors back to their childhoods. The worn edges or slightly frayed spine act as a direct link to the past, transporting them to a time when comics were traded between friends or read under the covers late at night. It’s a tactile experience—a connection not just to the comic itself but to a period in one’s life. There’s something irreplaceable about being able to pull out a vintage issue and experience the same stories you loved as a kid. It’s a piece of your history, alive in your hands.
More Than Just Comics
In addition to comics, many collectors of other items like trading cards, sports memorabilia, stamps, coins, watches, and vintage cars share this desire to experience their collections rather than preserve them. These collectibles offer their unique charms, and much like comics, the enjoyment comes from interacting with them, not just owning them.
The Thrill of the Deck
The tactile joy of holding and flipping through a deck can’t be overstated for trading card collectors. Shuffling through the cards, admiring the artwork, or simply feeling the edges of a rare card—it’s all part of the experience. Whether it’s sports cards, Pokémon, or Magic: The Gathering, these items invite the collector to engage with them actively. It's not just about the rarity or value; it’s the feeling of pulling a favourite card out and reliving that childhood excitement.
Reliving Iconic Moments
Sports memorabilia, like signed jerseys or game-used balls, also offer a connection beyond display value. Owning a piece of sports history is fantastic, but being able to touch it, to hang that autographed jersey up, makes you feel like you’re part of the moment. These collectibles bridge the most significant moments in sports history, and handling them helps fans relive them. It’s one thing to own a signed ball, but another to feel its weight and imagine the game it was a part of.
A Hands-On Journey Through History
For stamp and coin collectors, part of the joy is closely examining their pieces' intricate details. Holding a stamp or coin lets you appreciate its craftsmanship and history. Whether studying the faded ink of a vintage stamp or feeling the weight of an old coin, interacting with these collectibles is like holding a tangible piece of history. Something is fascinating about touching a coin passed through so many hands over the decades.
Time in Motion
Vintage watches offer a unique experience to collectors, as they are items meant to be worn, not hidden away. A watch isn't just a collectible; it's something to wear and appreciate in action. Hearing the soft ticking and feeling the weight of a finely crafted timepiece on your wrist is all part of the experience. Wearing a vintage watch connects you to its history—it’s like keeping time with the past.
The Thrill of the Open Road
Perhaps the most visceral of all are vintage cars. Owning a classic car isn’t just about having it—it’s about driving it. For collectors of vintage automobiles, taking their cars for a spin and experiencing the craftsmanship, the sound of the engine, and the feel of the road is what brings their collection to life. You don’t keep a classic car locked away; you drive it, and in doing so, you get to relive the era it came from.
Ultimately, this approach to collecting isn’t about future profits or pristine conditions. It’s about cherishing what made comics and other collectibles great in the first place: the stories, the characters, the history and the memories they create. For those who choose to leave their comics unencased, the joy is in the experience—reliving the adventures, feeling the pages, and embracing the history with every turn.
