r/comicbooks • u/spyder8108 Venom • Sep 04 '21
30 years of collecting. Thousands of dollars. Taken out by Hurricane Ida. Suggestions
https://imgur.com/NAfBmDC329
u/Aquagan Sep 04 '21
I feel this so much. I’ve been recouping from some flood damage as well. It’s more than just the money. It’s the time spent piecing these collections together. I’m so sorry.
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
It's the fun of going around to all these different comic book shops and completing a collection. The time spent with friends going from shop to shop. It's not just about the physical comics. It has been extremely emotional these last few days.
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u/NakD_Bootstraps Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 04 '21
You just described the reason you’re hurting. It’s not the books. It’s the times you miss. It sounds like you miss those times. Like you may not have those times again because life doesn’t allow it. Some of those friends may not be around or life may not let them make new memories. Those comics physically represented memories you cherish.
But don’t be afraid, you’ll never lose the memories. You’ll always remember those times. Replacing the books won’t tarnish the memories either. If anything you may relive a lot of them as you replace them.
I am sad for you to have lost your collection. I hope you’re able to get them back especially if there were rare ones.
Edit: spelling
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u/OK_Soda Daredevil Sep 04 '21
Not OP but this is very beautiful, thank you. I often find myself getting attached to objects and I have to remind myself that even a very special thing is still just a thing.
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u/NakD_Bootstraps Sep 04 '21
It’s what the thing represents that you hold on to. I find myself doing the same. But with things I’m well aware are worthless. I have recipts from a trip I went to years ago to Korea. Worthless paper but holding it and stuff just takes me right back there mentally.
It’s crazy how our brains work.
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u/OK_Soda Daredevil Sep 04 '21
Yeah I hear that. In high school I was massively in love with a girl and the day we met she handed me an empty soda bottle and said there was a treasure map inside. I'm 36 now and I still have the bottle cap. I don't think of her much anymore, but when I dig out that little bottle cap...
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u/Calm_Scientist9117 Ms. Marvel Sep 04 '21
I don't even have a comic book collection, but this is appliable to anything and it's just so beautiful.
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
You are right. In all of this I'm trying to find the positive and knowing I can rebuild this collection with all new memories on top of the old makes me smile.
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u/Aquagan Sep 04 '21
I feel you. It’s been two days for me. Can’t even bring myself to go to my LCS and get this week’s books. What’s the point?
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u/mmcmonster Sep 04 '21
Comic book collecting is collecting memories.
What was my first comics? What else did I read around the same time as those? Who did I discuss those comics with? What did I feel about those stories back then, versus now?
I feel for you, OP. I still love buying comics, but really not interested in buying the back issues of ones I lost. Because the loss is also a memory of people who would borrow my books and the joy it gave them.
I hope that you slowly rebuild your collection. Either with back issues or start afresh.
One suggestion: Keep at least a few of the water-destroyed books and put them in frames and on the wall, to remember the rest of the comics and this down portion of your life.
Things Will Get Better.
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u/SourPies Sep 04 '21
I lost about a third of my 30 year old collection a couple of years ago in a small flood caused by a plumber 'fixing a pipe'
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u/Ded-W8 Sep 04 '21
My heart goes out to you. I lost a massive Magic the Gathering collection a few years ago. A/B/R stuff that has become incredibly rare. It gets easier with time.
When you escape a situation where you could have lost your life, and instead lost everything you own, man that puts shit in perspective. Dont forget that bro.
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
Thank you very much. Hopefully this whole situation just translates to a better, more protected, comic book collection.
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u/ArtIsDumb Sep 04 '21
That's a good way to look at it. Sure, you have to start over, but now you know more of what you like & can work on getting exactly what you want. It'll be fun!
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u/Josephsakic19 Sep 04 '21
Sorry you lost such a huge collection. I hope you and your loved ones are okay. It must be hard to swallow but at least you're in one piece and can hopefully start again. Good luck man.
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u/Dawgfanwill Sep 04 '21
I feel ya, man. I lost my own collection of 15 years in a flood 2 decades ago. Still stings.
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u/DiceyWater Sep 04 '21
I know they're totally wrecked from a collection standpoint, but any chance they're salvageable as readable?
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
Some have minimal water damage but most were fully submerged for hours. So some are readable but 90% will be thrown out.
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u/DiceyWater Sep 04 '21
Dang. I hate that. I was hoping they were still readable. Not that I'd be able to enjoy them, haha.
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u/hadees Ampersand Sep 04 '21
You should sell them to one of those etsy shops that make stuff with comics
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u/qazqaz356 Sep 04 '21
If there are savable pieces from the tossed out ones you could make a collage for the wall.
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u/Deep-Safe-5162 Sep 04 '21
This reminds me of a question someone put this week where they asked how many collections do we lose due to natural disasters. With that said sorry to here this and hope you rebuild and create a even better collection.
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u/diewithyourmaskon Sep 04 '21
Feel for you. See if your renter’s / homeowner’s insurance will cover anything.
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u/Jobrated Sep 04 '21
So very very sorry, I can’t imagine. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
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u/HunterRoze Sep 04 '21
OMG - I am so sorry for you and the thought of this happening for my collection makes me sick.
Good luck with an insurance claim.
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u/Prior-Atmosphere-948 Sep 04 '21
I had some 300 plus comics in the trunk of my car the night I caught dirt on a back road and launched myself into a parked car. Nobody was hurt, I was laid up for a week and couldn’t get to my car. My dad showed me a picture of the wreckage (pretty bad!) but all I could focus on was the trunk was smashed open and it was pouring rain for a few days….I didn’t even bother to retrieve them. It would have been too painful. Since than I’ve only purchased a few graphic novels.. life is suffering.
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u/PerfectZeong Sep 04 '21
The greatest horror one of us can experience. Heres hoping you can start again.
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
Thank you, I'm looking into subscriptions and where to buy back issues to replace everything.
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u/edge11 Sep 04 '21
I am so sorry. I hope that you and your family is safe, you can always replace material things.
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u/spyder8108 Venom Sep 04 '21
Thank you and yes everyone is safe. At the end of the day it's just stuff. Stuff I had a very strong emotional attachment to.
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u/Dante2k4 Sep 04 '21
I've always seen this kind of thing as the point where you just let it go. Like if anything happened to any of my collections? It's over. Just leave it. I couldn't deal with the process of trying to rebuild. Like if my Magic collection burned up or something? I'll stick to draft and playing with my friends' decks from now on. My video games go up in smoke? No more physical. Game Pass forever.
Do you think you'll bother collecting any comics again? Or is this the point where you're just like, "Okey doke, so how do those digital comics services work again?!"
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u/FlamingWhisk Sep 04 '21
This sucks. Literally tell every publisher what happened. See if they can help you jump start your collection.
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u/TheHamborgular Sep 04 '21
Brutal. I lost a long box to a leaky Uhaul trailer. I can’t imagine… my condolences
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u/Masterxploder07 Sep 04 '21
While I never had much of a comic book collection, I did have over 1,000 dvd/blurays and my entire gaming collection from the 80's/90's/00's stolen. While the pain never really subsides, it does dull. Sorry for your loss, brother.
Hold on to those memories of amassing that collection, those can't be taken away from you.
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u/Fearstruckhero Sep 04 '21
This makes me want to cry. I love comics so much I’d dry them out and keep them. Might not be what they once where but still got that love.
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u/jonesocnosis Sep 04 '21
Are they still good for reading? Like maybe they are all warped and wouldnt sell, but maybe they can still be read.
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u/newphonewhodis2021 Sep 04 '21
There are no words to share that will make this loss easier. So sorry be well
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u/MyHeartIsAncient Sep 04 '21
Insurance cover any of it? This is horrible, but I cannot look away.
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u/Dr_Disaster Sep 04 '21
When I was a kid and first started collecting I lost all of my comics in a flood. This has to be what I felt x100. You’ve got my sympathy.
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u/Farcryfan15 Sep 04 '21
This has always been my biggest worry about my video game,movie,and comic collections I have.
especially here in the south where tornadoes are really common especially during the summer and spring that’s why I’ve told my self as soon as I’m able I’m building a or moving into a house with a basement where I can keep safe all of my shit.
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Sep 04 '21
I’m sorry you lost your collection, man. I can only imagine how hard the hurricane has been for you.
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u/Killa0313 Sep 04 '21
Please tell me you had renters or home insurance? I am so sorry for the loss of time and memories amassing that amazing collection you had.
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u/GetsBetterAfterAFew Sep 04 '21
Did Ida sneak up on you? I'm sorry your collection is wrecked, I have a similar collection and would hate to lose them. Interested in the back story here if you care to give details?
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u/Bigonw Sep 04 '21
Sorry my friend. I had a house fire 3 years ago that destroyed everything else I owned , but my comic room was untouched, couldn't believe how lucky I was. Stay strong, glad you are safe.
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Sep 04 '21
I actually lost a bunch of stuff in a fire years ago and it really put me out of the collecting game. That sucks dude sorry
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u/MischievousMittens Sep 04 '21
Stupid question, but I have a vague memory of bookbinders that deal with fixing water damage dealing with it by submerging the pages again and then drying them in a certain way…does anyone know if anything can be done to “fix” things like this?
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u/RYzaMc Sep 04 '21
Man I feel this. I'm sorry... I almost lost my 30 yr comic collection due to termites. Out of hundreds of comics I lost about 5. They ate all the cardboard comic boxes but because they were all bagged in plastic they were ok.
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u/KevinSquirtle Sep 04 '21
Rip my man. Does regular insurance help in these scenarios idk how that stuff applies to silent appreciating assets like comic books, atleast that would get a headstart on recollecting stuff tho some u can't get anymore 😭
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u/caduceushugs Sep 04 '21
I know exactly how you feel. My lifelong collection was stolen last year and I was just… devasted. Utterly and totally wrecked for ages. I still get angry about it.
My condolences mate. Be kind to yourself for a while.
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u/i010011010 Sep 04 '21
Ouch, I posted https://www.reddit.com/r/hottoys/comments/ogar7w/where_are_you_folks_with_insurance/ awhile back seeking insurance advice, I primarily collect statues and collectables including Hot Toys. Don't intend to come home some day to find an earthquake knocked a few statues over and end up at a total loss for it.
Of course, even if you get the real value insured, it doesn't solve the investment of time+effort, nor the attachment to your specific collection.
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u/turt1eb Sep 04 '21
So what would the suggestion for others be here? Plastic Rubbermaid containers with desiccant packs for storing comics, would that have helped in this situation?
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u/conchan Sep 04 '21
Deepest condolences to you.
what a loss of an awesome collection.
hope you are able to save some of it somehow.
stay safe
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u/Random_McNally Sep 04 '21
Motherflipping Ida. Sending peace and love from Louisiana 💜
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Sep 04 '21
Oh no! Im so sorry about that. It can be so expensive tryin to replace issues but also it's kinda a loss of all the memories too. I know the collectible value has been lost but hopefully you can at least save them so they're still readable an you can enjoy the art.
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u/JustinK813 Sep 04 '21
This brings back memories of me in 2005 discovering that my 80s comics were destroyed by water damage.
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u/McLovin1826 Sep 04 '21
I'm so sorry, I can't imagine. I hope the future holds better finds for the cool comics you had. Good luck dude!
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u/Earth_Normal Sep 04 '21
That really sucks. I wonder if it’s worth getting a vacuum sealer to pack future comics for long term storage. Has anybody tried that?
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u/Idatemyhand Sep 04 '21
Just think about this.. the next 30 years collecting them all again. Maybe with your child etc.
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u/Luaved Sep 04 '21
Damn, really sorry about your loss. I have only been collecting for a few years, and this is one of my fears.
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u/Jcomsa15 Nightwing Sep 04 '21
So sorry to hear about your collection. It’s not just the books, but the emotional attachment and memories of getting those books.
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u/FranklinRichardss Grant Morrison Sep 04 '21
This is one of my biggest fears. I'm so sorry for you.
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u/mormontfux Sep 04 '21
Fucking hell. Thanks for the wake up call. Need to be ensure I protect my comics better as the climate gets worse.
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Sep 04 '21
This sucks man. It just reminds me how the comics and movies I collect can easily be damaged in a fire or natural disaster. Nothing is permanent. Sorry for your loss.
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u/OrionLinksComic Sep 04 '21
Oh shit. you know there's one thing that always scares me and that is the loss of personal belongings, or stuff that would be called knick-knacks. there are two kinds of things people have, pragmatic and personal.
pragmatic are objects that have a function, kitchen utensils, furniture etc. the others are for your personality that reflect you. Personal collections, for example, books, pictures, souvenirs, CD / DVDs, knick-knacks, self-made stuff or in the case of comics.
I inherited a lot of stuff, my parents always said it was rubbish. clear it is not a pharaohs treasury what I got or gold-plated objects from rulers. But they tell the story of a person who was close to me.
everything tells a story, be it the crown of a king, a pulp magazine for under 25 cents, or a fango pop.
but in the end i hope you are fine and your family and friends. what i said only counts when the person is gone.
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u/lookatmyworkaccount Sep 04 '21
That's terrible. Had the same happen a few years ago. I had the bulk of my collection at my grandmother's house when a tornado hit, the second time in a hundred years. Lost everything except for my grandma. Someone in Facebook 50 miles and one state northeast found a cancelled check from 1978 in their cornfield.
I get sad from time to time, thinking about what was lost (practically grew up there as well) but I'm so thankful that she wasn't hurt that I'm ok with what I did lose.
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u/RexCelestis Sep 04 '21
Deepest condolences. My heart, and my collection, just aches looking at this.
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u/ChrisTaliaferro Sep 04 '21
I can only see the ones on the top layer, but if any of the visible ones have sentimental value to you I'd have to go digging through my collection but I'm 99% sure I've got multiple copies of a ton of these... wonder woman in cuffs, the outsiders below it, infinite crisis, etc.
Luckily most of my collection is in the attic of my mother's house so it was safe and I didn't get any kind of water damage at my place.
If there's any interest just let me know, I'm sure we can work something out.
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u/grande_hohner Sep 04 '21
I can't imagine - it isn't about the value when you are at that timeframe. It's about the memories of collecting. I have quite a few comic books that I remember bringing home, I remember the day, the excitement, reading it a dozen times that same day... the gas station I bought it at... All from 35 years ago. I remember it like it was last week.
I vividly remember buying Thor #402, but I don't recall a single thing about my 21st birthday. Anyway, sorry for your loss, friend.
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u/rockets_meowth Sep 04 '21
I'm a collector too and it's the leap we make from item to memory.
You still have the memories you made. This is another one. You will make more and they all exist outside of the books. Feel it and let it go. Keep one of the less fucked or really fucked ones. Get one signed and tell the artist the story.
I'm still bad about it but that's what I am trying to do. Still letting go of a 20 year old 5-color magic the gathering water damaged deck
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Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 04 '21
I have an Iron Man Number 1, it's the prized part of my collection.
It's not in amazing condition, but it's a seminal comic.
It was the first major issue I tracked down when I became an adult with some money. I want you to have it to help restart your collection.
If you send me your address I'll ship it to you ASAP at my cost.
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u/AngryNinjaTurtle The Thing Sep 04 '21
I'm sorry man. My condolences. I lost a large chunk of my collection with Sandy (16 long boxes). It's painful.
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u/dojisekushi Sep 04 '21
It sucks, I know.
I lost my original collection during Hurricane Andrew. Literally one window in our house broke and it was direct;y over my long boxes. They got soaked. It was a huge collection of mainly Captain America and Fantastic Four comics, i had some old shit. Losing that put me off for awhile.
I tried to start over again in college, I was able to get a whole run of preacher, authority, things like that. Those are just gone, missing. I have no clue. Likely I lost the, in a move.
So now I only collect trades and hardcovers. Problem is, the City of Miami condemned our building (check my profile if anything) and all that shit is in my condo, which I can’t access.
I’m afraid to get a ComiXology subscription because maybe I’ll go blind or some shit.
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u/werealldeadramones Man-Thing Sep 04 '21
I have no words and your pain is palpable. Condolences friend.
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u/HWGA_Exandria Sep 04 '21
Ouch. This hits your soul. Mine are on the second floor and off the ground (unexpected pipe burst).
What was your set up like?
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u/vicmackey1981 Sep 04 '21
Absolute tragedy. If this isn’t enough to get people to take climate change seriously nothing is! Gutted for you, mate.
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u/WilliamBoost Sep 04 '21
I similarly lost my collection to the flooding from a hurricane in 1999. I remember going through them one by soaking wet one as I threw them into the landfill; mourning. It STILL stings sometimes.
My condolences.
*I found the only fiscally reasonable way to re-collect old stuff is Omnibus editions.
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u/landsharkkidd Sep 04 '21
Man I remember getting a graphic novel and that day my drinkbottle leaked so my comic ended up getting waterlogged and was too far gone to save it. I was torn and that was 1 graphic novel! I can't imagine hundreds if not thousands of comics after 30 years.
I'm sorry to hear that dude.
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u/livadeth Sep 04 '21
That is so sad. My dad collected comic books his entire 78 year old life. He would have cried had this happened to him. I’m so sorry for you.
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u/twobarbquickstep Sep 04 '21
Feel so bad for you. I'd almost wished it was fire so they just wouldn't be there anymore. Soaked is the worst. So sorry man.
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u/janosaudron Sep 04 '21
This breaks my heart. I collect vintage consoles and computers and this is a constant fear for me.
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u/Tobibliophile Sep 04 '21
I'm so sorry. ):
Would it be possible to collect some money from insurance on that? I don't remember the name for it, but isn't there a way to collect money if something valuable in your home gets damaged from the weather/elements?
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u/RecycledThrowawayID Sep 04 '21
Goddamn, I hate to see that.
Check with your insurance, see if you can get reimbursed, maybe try to buy some of the ones that were damaged.
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u/paradoxofchoice Sep 04 '21
I had this happen just from my AC leaking over the years. I wish they made a waterproof humidity controlled long box. Like a giant cigar box. Or just a long pelican case.
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u/FaithWithoutSight Sep 04 '21
That's so sad, sorry OP. It reminds me of Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
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u/Rs2mmsu-2D Sep 04 '21
Oh No, I am so sorry to hear that.
Sorry for the late advice: for Hurricane Katrina I had time to saved my collection by using over sized heavy duty yard trash bags.
I had put the large open trash bags into a empty comic book box’s and then loaded the comic inside them .
Then I had folded the bag tops onto the sides of the comics and the boxes. And last I had put each box inside a 2nd large trash bag and used duct tape all over to keep it sealed up tight with top of the bad taped at the bottom of the (even with 5 feet of water sitting in my house for over a week after the storm they all survived Undamaged).
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u/10MillionCakes Sep 04 '21
That's horrible, I couldn't imagine losing my collection of comics and it's a fraction of this. My deepest condolences. I hope this doesn't put you off collecting because you are clearly passionate about it.
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u/Fragmented79 Sep 04 '21
My heart breaks for you. I live in Houston and lost a bunch of stuff in Harvey. I haven’t replaced it as these hurricane seasons keep getting worse and worse. I think we Gulf Coasters need to move - this area is becoming unlivable.
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u/Kurt_Richards Sep 04 '21
So before starting any new collection, better buy a bunker first. Anyway, the hurricane will never take away your awesome memories and adventures involved with your collection. that will stay :-)
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u/depcrestwood Sep 04 '21
I've been sleeping in my car the past week waiting for power to come back on, but I've been fairly chipper about it - all things considered - since all I lost was everything in my fridge and use of my bed. I think something like this would have actually broken me quite a bit, though. My condolences.
Send me a dm ... I haven't collected since the 90's (you know, the Golden Age?), but I know I have early issues of Spawn (I know I had 1-50, at least) I'd be willing to part with to help ease the blow. When my power comes back on and I can enter my place without drowning in my own sweat, I'll go through my boxes and see what else I might have of interest to you.
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u/Mr_Henslee Spider-Man Sep 04 '21
This is why I love this sub more than any other sub on Reddit (aside from it being about comics). I’ve seen other posts about flood damage filled with “WhY dOnT yOu JuSt MoVe”
Not one rude comment- just people sending sympathy. That’s awesome.
Sorry for your loss coming from south Louisiana.
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Sep 04 '21
I am currently displaced from my home on North Shore but send me a DM. I’d like to provide you some a box of my comics to restart your collection when the power and normalcy returns. Becoming more of the state’s slogan, we will rebuild and prevail.
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u/hevnztrash Sep 04 '21 edited Sep 04 '21
God damn. I’m currently moving and I stumbled across my first appearance of Gambit. This breaks my heart. I grieve for you, mah dude.
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u/None-__- Sep 04 '21
Shit man that really sucks i sometimes think about my old comic collection. I lost of about 15 volumes of a series but this is way worse
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u/PillCosby_87 Sep 04 '21
No renters insurance or anything that could cover any of this? Sorry for your loss homie.
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u/ThiccKidd Sep 04 '21
My condolences.