We should take this issue up with AEA, then. This is unjust and must be handled ASAP!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/06
Yep, I do the same. They fit perfectly horizontal in those plastic things that go in ring binders - then I put my tickets and any brochures the show has in there too.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
You know, those special storage bags they sell on QVC might do the trick. You know the ones I'm talking about; where you vacuum the air out of them. Put the playbills in plastic or tin containers and thn inside the special bag. Then vacuum the air out and preserve the Playbills. Hmmm...it might work.
Well, Dolly, if you're not going to display them and enjoy them, what's the point of having them? They're not going to do anybody any good vacuum sealed in a shoebox.
Eponine: Don't write off the playbill binders. The cardboard ones are horrible, but the nicer ones with the protective sheets are fantastic and well worth the money. I highly suggest them. Any collection is an investment, and any collection worth having will cost you something. Do it over time. Buy 1 playbill binder a week, or 1 a month. You will be glad.
Good point and suggestion, munkustrap178
Thanks!
So... Am I to understand there are a couple different types of the actual PLAYBILL binders?
Broadway Star Joined: 1/29/07
For a different approach....
I have a big accordian folder, and whenever I get 2 or 3 new ones, I just shove them in there. No order. In the same folder, all mixed in, are community theatre, regional theatre, a coupla high-school ones where I was involved with the show...they all live together as a big, diverse, non-traditional family. No discrimination based on looks, status, or ticket price. Most of them are kinda folded and a tad mangled, as I tend to fidget with them during the show, then fold them in half and shove them in my pocket afterwards. Sometimes in my back pocket, so they then get sat on.
I guess I am going to Theatre Hell for treating them like that. But I do keep them all!
I dont' have any signed ones yet...I guess I should treat those ones better, huh?
(It could be worse...I have friends who just TOSS them after shows...).
I just put mine in a gallon size zip locks and then store them in a box vertically. Not fancy, but it does the job.
*lol* My dad does that, gymdudeva- then he offers them to me- coffee stained, torn, ect and then doesn't understand why I look at him funny and mutter something about "treating priceless objects with respect"
You guys have given me lots of great ideas. Thanks and keep them coming!
I just ordered one of those playbill binders. Right now all 40+ of them are in a plastic box under my bed. Not the best place for them.
And if you're a serious collector, you should not put them in the playbill binder without the 3 rings and the plastic protectors.
The ink from the playbills often stain the ones around it, so separate them with something.
^Tissue paper.
But yeah, dont use the binders without the plastic sleaves.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
The Playbill binder with rings & inserts are built for (I believe) 13-15. However, you can get around that number by putting Playbills in the front and back. I've got 7 binders thus far. Yes, it's a huge investment (they run a good $35-40), but to a theater geek, it's well worth it for preservation purporses.
Going along with this topic, does anyone have any suggestions for storing older playbills?
I have a few vintage playbills (Gypsy, Funny Girl, etc.), and because they are a different size than playbills with the contemporary design, they do not fit in either the plastic sleeves that go along with the Playbill binder or the Playbill frame.
Are there any binders specifically made for these vintage playbills?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/19/05
I'm with Fenchurch, the comic book holders are perfect and I throw the ticket stub as well.
I have about 60 Playbills or more. I am having large frames made with insets the size of the Playbills and mounting on a wall in the hallway of my apt. I want each frame to hold about 6 to 8 Playbills.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/28/06
All of my recent playbills are on my wall (on an angle), hanging by a thumbtack. I really need to frame them.
I hang all of my Playbills on my wall. I use small binder clips to hold the top and bottom closed, and leave one handle on the top clip to hang it on a pin. They look great all displayed together.
Well it's kind of pointless now that there's a hole in them, no?
And no, there aren't currently any Playbill binders that fit the old playbills. I e-mailed Playbill about this and someone told me that he's been arguing with "them" for years on this, but there aren't currently any plans to start selling a larger binder for the older playbills.
So in short, the playbills that actually need protecting aren't protected. I think that's funny.
I have one ultimate binder for special playbills, 3 Black vinyl playbill binders, 2 red ones, 2 National Theatre Programme binders, and one London Royal Opera House Programme box.
Truthfully, I don't take care of mine as much as I should. Most of them are stuffed in this small plastic freezer bag that's falling apart. Lol.
I just wanted to second whoever said not to get the playbill binder without the three rings. I had one of those (before the newer, more expensive ones were made) and it was awful (because the playbills would rip when I put them in with that weird stick thingy). Also, I like to take them out and look at them from time to time (which you can't really do with those cheaper playbill binders).
And that's a really good idea about putting two playbills in one sleeve to save spac/money, although I put mine in alphabetical order (cause I'm annal) so that wouldn't really work for me.
Yeah, I'm not a fant of putting two in one sleeve. It stretches the sleeve and sort of compromises the quality. And it can smudge the ink.
I am considering getting a Ultimate Playbil Binder, but I have a couple of questions. Do they come with plastic coverings or do I have to by those seperatly? When people say they are insanly expensive, how expensive are they? also, how many playbills can they hold?
They are $29.95 and hold 18 (although you could try to fit more if you really want to). They do come with 18 vinyl polypropylene sleeves with acid-free backing boards (although they sell extras seperately). IMO, it's worth it. For more info:
http://www.playbillstore.com/neulplbiarqu.html
Updated On: 2/3/07 at 04:32 PM
I think it's worth it too. I purchased extra sleeves also.
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