I am the unfortunate one Steve speaks of. I will be commenting more and posting scans this weekend.
For the record, I WAS using a Sentry Fire-Safe Model A3810. Ironic since I enjoy the new marvel character the Sentry. To be fair, it may very well not be the manufacturer, but any fire-proof safe for reasons explained below* in more detail.
When researching and comparing safes prior to purchase, this one appeared to me to be specifically for storing papergoods safely and providing longer protection from heat and/or fire. Despite the warning about firearms/ammunition, there was no specific warning about ANY non-precious metal (staples) being at risk to rust in the manual and other verbiage that IMO supports its use for CGC protected comics.
*It may not be the humidity and moisture levels the safe locks in that caused the damage. In my "post rust" conversations, it has been suggested that the anti-fire chemical(s) used to produce the safe may aid in accelerating the rusting process or be corrosive to metal all by themselves. I have to post on the NGC boards and see what I can find from the coin collectors.
The safe was opened semi-regularly and silica gel packets were used also. There was never even the most remote indication of moisture within (beading, etc.) to the naked eye... although that may not be relevant.
So far (1) book appears to be totally shot. One of my prized personal favorites Hulk 182 9.8 oww Winnipeg that was in the safe the longest. 3 others have a very minor amount apparently just starting and are not visible from a front scan. Steve mentioned that there is a possibility that this minor amount could be brushed off without "cleaning" the staples in a manner that would render them conserved or restored. So I am holding out hope that my loss will be just the 1 book worth around $2,000.
I am sending CGC all books that were in the safe just so they can examine them closely and see if there is anything else to discover.. god forbid. All the books that are determined to be harm-free will be reholdered regardless.
I will find out as much as I can and will be distributing all information as far and wide as I'm able with the assistance of CGC, GPA and Gemstone. My hope is that I can help others that may have their CGC comics similarly stored remove them from the harmful environment before they suffer any losses as I have.
For the record, I will exercise "full disclosure" when/if any of the 3 books that have minor rust starting on them (and hopefully can have it removed within the rules) are ever sold whether they are lowered in grade or not.
Sorry to hear about this. Just to be clear, all 3 books are still slabbed? And you are able to detect rust?
Quote: When researching and comparing safes prior to purchase, this one appeared to me to be specifically for storing papergoods safely and providing longer protection from heat and/or fire. Despite the warning about firearms/ammunition, there was no specific warning about ANY non-precious metal (staples) being at risk to rust in the catalog and other verbiage that IMO supports its use for CGC protected comics.
In retrospect, the warning as to firearms would appear to include all ferrous metals, regardless of use.
Sorry to hear about this. Just to be clear, all 3 books are still slabbed? And you are able to detect rust?
Quote: When researching and comparing safes prior to purchase, this one appeared to me to be specifically for storing papergoods safely and providing longer protection from heat and/or fire. Despite the warning about firearms/ammunition, there was no specific warning about ANY non-precious metal (staples) being at risk to rust in the catalog and other verbiage that IMO supports its use for CGC protected comics.
In retrospect, the warning as to firearms would appear to include all ferrous metals, regardless of use.
Bruce - that really sucks - sorry man.................
but just so i get this straight, we have a safe from a well known safe company, books CGC slabbed, and rust has started to form on some books. this amazes me as i would have thought that the interior barex (?) holder would have prevented minimal humidity from touching the book.
i'm gonna get out my paperwork for my Fort Knox safe (which has extra steel reinforcement as well as extra fire protection) and see if there' any mention of a potential problem...........
thanks for being so straight up about this................................Harry.
Everyone knows that slabbed books still age/oxidize, they can still suffer from moisture damage, the effects of UV light can still harm the book through its shell, etc., but so long as you don't open that slab the grade is still valid... that is the credo here isn't it??
So the trick is to not open the slab and invalidate the grade, right? Just pass the slabbed book on to the next sucker. If the buyer opens the slab to inspect the book, bam!, instant invalid grade and the seller is off the hook (as well as CGC).
#1141004 - 03/31/0605:48 PMRe: Important information about storing comic books in fire proof/resistant safe
[Re: BronzeBruce13]
sterlingcomicssterlingcomics Mine was The Registry Buginator but I prefer(snip)
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 12/24/03
Posts: 20970
Loc: Suffering Your Stupidity
Bruce and Steve,
Thanks for the information regarding this....this will be useful to everyone. Bruce: Now that you have my attention, I'll attend to that data request you asked several weeks ago (sorry for the delay)
Sorry to hear about this. Just to be clear, all 3 books are still slabbed? And you are able to detect rust?
Quote: When researching and comparing safes prior to purchase, this one appeared to me to be specifically for storing papergoods safely and providing longer protection from heat and/or fire. Despite the warning about firearms/ammunition, there was no specific warning about ANY non-precious metal (staples) being at risk to rust in the catalog and other verbiage that IMO supports its use for CGC protected comics.
In retrospect, the warning as to firearms would appear to include all ferrous metals, regardless of use.
Bruce - that really sucks - sorry man.................
but just so i get this straight, we have a safe from a well known safe company, books CGC slabbed, and rust has started to form on some books. this amazes me as i would have thought that the interior barex (?) holder would have prevented minimal humidity from touching the book.
i'm gonna get out my paperwork for my Fort Knox safe (which has extra steel reinforcement as well as extra fire protection) and see if there' any mention of a potential problem...........
thanks for being so straight up about this................................Harry.
Barex is not a complete moisture barrier. No plastic is. The environment inside the holder will eventually equalize with the environment outside of it.
Quote: Everyone knows that slabbed books still age/oxidize, they can still suffer from moisture damage, the effects of UV light can still harm the book through its shell, etc., but so long as you don't open that slab the grade is still valid... that is the credo here isn't it??
So the trick is to not open the slab and invalidate the grade, right? Just pass the slabbed book on to the next sucker. If the buyer opens the slab to inspect the book, bam!, instant invalid grade and the seller is off the hook (as well as CGC).
I am the unfortunate one Steve speaks of.
.... I sense a presence that is familiar here. 
