Figured this would be a cool discussion: is there anything you do differently with your binders than the general consensus, and do you have any unorthodox binders (e.g. individual artist binders, individual Pokemon binders, etc.)?
One thing I do is I actually put the holos at the back of my sets in my binders just because I prefer the buildup rather than just looking at the holos immediately and then everything else is just non-holos.
So, for example, I actually begin Base Set with Beedrill, go through all the non-holos and then after all of that, I’ll end with the holos. That would probably drive a lot of OCD people nuts because I am kind of abandoning set numbers, but I just like looking at the holos last.
As for unorthodox binders, I don’t really have anything all that unique yet, but I actually am thinking of doing monotype binders (all Fire Pokemon in one, Electric Pokemon in another, etc.).
Since I collect energy my binder is unorthodox compared to most. I have decided to organize by set rather than type. That way I can add new ones in the back and not have to keep moving them around when I run out of space for a type. I have another for all of the non set and promo ones too.
I used to experiment a lot more in how I sorted my cards, but now most of my binders are sorted in sets and promo cards are sorted within their respective time period. I suppose getting older together with an ever growing collection makes one more boring and conventional. One slight exception is an ultra pro pro-binder containing all the Japanese old back set holos that are sorted after pokedex number within each set in an uninterrupted joy of holographic awesomeness. I am currently working on getting binder copies of all the Japanese e-series holos (96 cards, not counting the crystals) to follow after neo destiny to complete the second generation. This is proving to be a nice little challenge.
Here a picture of my Pokémon collection (minus two additional binders I added after making these pictures in August 2018):
Currently I have the following:
1.5 binder for my regular Pikachu collection, sorted according to my checklist
The other 0.5 binder for my Seviper, Mimikyu (stopped collecting Mimikyus, though), Moltres #21 WotC Promo, English & Japanese exclusive FA Supporters, and Yu-Gi-Oh rarity collections, and a few cards featuring Pikachu in their artwork (unlike Seviper I don’t collect cards featuring Pikachu in the artwork - for obvious reasons *ahum* Trophies and Pokémon Illustrator *ahum*, but I still have some regardless). Also all sorted according to their respective checklists.
1 binder for my graded, sealed and very rare cards in toploaders (mostly Pikachu and Moltres) - unsorted mostly, new ones are placed at the back
1 binder for my Pikachu Jumbo cards, also sorted according to my checklist
And the remaining 8 binders for my general collection, sorted by National Index, and then individual Pokémon by release year of the set → set nr → language → special stamps → holo variations. After all Pokémon the Trainer cards and Energy cards are sorted similar. Still have to re-organize them after taking out cards for my National Index collection and added loads of new cards, though…
A total of around 6,000-8,000 cards. No idea about the exact amount or which cards I have in my general collection anymore after I lost my collection catalog two years ago after my hard drive broke down… I plan on making this catalog again after I’m done re-organizing everything.
As for my duplicated cards:
I have a couple of boxes where the cards are sorted by Pokémon National Index as well, since I’m contacted pretty often by collectors of single Pokémon after making a list, so it’s way easier to sort by Pokémon than by set for my duplicated stack that’s for sale. The cardboard box you see contains some of the rarer duplicated cards, as well as all duplicated Pikachus and sealed cards.
And under the bed are some sealed boxes, blisters, and non-TCG Pokémon merchandise I have yet to sell, like those two Korean Fairy Rise boxes you see in the picture above.
All duplicated card combined are also around 5,000-6,500 cards.
I haven’t bought or used a binder in 20 years but I still have many from back then.
I would cut up the boxes and use them on the binder covers and spines. Inside, I sometimes sorted by color(see pic) and mostly set numbers if available. I usually included extra stuff like packs from the set.
I pretty much try to order my binders through sets; if you notice, Base Set to Neo are not showcased on those white ones, and thats mostly because i have some sets (Like 1st Ed. Base to 1st Ed. Neo Destiny) located in those Zipfolios on the last shelf box.
I also own a complete Base to Neo Destiny Japanese binder, wich is the one on the left side, that has a complete white spine.
I plan on making this catalog again after I’m done re-organizing everything.
