How many years can collected editions remain in readable condition?

[osakafanz]

I mean the physical copies are still in good reading condition even after another 20/30 years

[Seeker]

If stored properly there's no reason they won't last 20+ years. I'm anal retentive about all of my books, but particularly so for my large omni's. I generally leave them in shrink-wrap until I'm ready to start reading, stored upright and supported on acid-free shelving in a walk-in closet. Keeping the closet door mostly closed prevents light exposure and I have a hydrometer to periodically check and make sure they're around the 50/70 mark. Once I open them, I condition the spine, I place Brodart protective covers. and cut an acid-free foam support for the book block. Overkill? Probably.

For some older leather bound books (non-comic) I use micro chamber paper as well. I'll probably integrate this into my omni collection but haven't gotten around to it yet. Everything is in Comic Collector database as well.

Yes. I also have a life and a wife/kid.

[My Two Cents]

In the comfort and safety of a home........... yes
in a open aired land fill.......... no

[Graphic Autist]

There are only so many ways to ask the same question, and you have done so in spades.

[osakafanz]

There are only so many ways to ask the same question, and you have done so in spades.

Impressed right I know

[osakafanz]

Assuming at least away from sunlight for a start...

[Toreador]

With care, a lifetime. Books have lasted over a 100 years.

[rtk79]

With care, a lifetime. Books have lasted over a 100 years.

Books have been known to last a lot longer than that.

[osakafanz]

I imagine they will dry up and crack many years later...

[RamblingMan]

I imagine they will dry up and crack many years later...

Unless you are a vampire who lives for centuries, your books with decent amount of care will last long enough for you.

For general care for books, the general rules are keep them out of sunlight and avoid excessive moisture. Too dry, too long may also affect glue over time but those would be relatively easy things to fix if needed 30 years down the road. The sewn binding unless you are rough with them will be fine. On the books using acid free paper, the paper itself will be readable and fine for decades. It will not become brittle and unreadable over a few decades which for a book is not a long period of time.

[Toreador]

Books have been known to last a lot longer than that.

Hence the 'over' part.

[osakafanz]

Hence the 'over' part.

What u mean "over"?