NES maps - need help of hardcore NES collectors!

[ckendal]

As many of you know, NES maps over time begin to tear along the seams from being folded either too long OR over and over again.

Sometimes the tears are small and sometimes large.

Does anyone know of the best way to maintain/repair these maps without further tearing? Does throwing scotch tape on them devalue them or is having it completely torn worse?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Carl

[PingvinBlueJeans]

The best way to maintain the condition of maps (or manuals/boxes) is simply to handle them carefully. Not much else you can do really, unless you want to have them laminated.

If your maps are worn, it's really your choice whether to tape them or not. Personally, I never tape things like that (game boxes, record jackets), because you're adding something that wasn't there originally. But individual collectors have different opinions toward that sort of thing, so it's tough to say which is preferable in terms of value. If you can handle the map reasonably without damaging it further, I wouldn't tape it. If you can't, you might want to tape it. To tape or not to tape...that is the question. :)

[ckendal]

Thanks for responding.

I can definitely handle them well enough to not tear them anymore as I could just use maps from online, but can any hardcore NES collectors give me some tips/options/opinions?

Thanks,
Carl

[PingvinBlueJeans]

If that's the case, then don't tape. No matter what it is, collectors generally want original condition (even if poor), and tape will almost definitely lower the value.

[ckendal]

The thing is that these maps other than the tears along the folds are near mint condition. I am just afraid that over time they will tear more along the seam even without use.

If you are a serious collector, please help me out and give me some tips/advice.

It is much appreciated!

Thanks,
Carl

[wrldstrman]

make copies of the maps and dont use the oridginal ones

[JerseyDevil65]

If you are keeping the games then do whatever you want. If you are holding them to sell later on, them just keep them as they are and handle as ittle as possible.

If they were mine, I would tape them only because I hate things that are falling apart.

[rbudrick]

make copies of the maps and dont use the oridginal ones

Beat me to it. Scan them and use copies only. I never use original maps anymore, except in more recent guide books, like Brady Games or whatever. But original maps included in old games I don't touch.

-Rob

[Synergy]

Laminating is a good idea, but then you can't fold them up in the original condition they were once in.

I also think making a copy of the maps with a scanner is an even better idea. That's a cool idea. I just may do that with any maps I get in my hunt, and safely tuck the originals away in the box. Nice.

[tholly]

from a collector standpoint, as far as taping something is concerned, if it was my item, or if i was buying it from someone and the item had tape that was not there originally, it would be worth less, how much less is a different question, and, the rarer the item, i think the less value it would loose being taped, bc items like that, people want no matter what the shape....

but, the short answer is, if you tape it, it looses value....

...so, leave the item as is, don't use it, and find some other means to access a map (ie, the web, etc)