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How do you catalog your collection(s)?

Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 6:53 pm
by ninjason
I've made a New Year's resolution to get my ever expanding Magic collection under control and produce a trade list that makes some sense (including separate have and want lists!).

Do any of you use tools to manage, catalog, and document your various collection(s) and trade lists? I've heard of Magic Workstation and it seems intriguing, but before I start down any particular path and put the effort into cataloging mass amounts of cards, I thought I'd check with the experts. Here is the URL if you want to check out what Magic Workstation can do. http://www.magicworkstation.com/

Thanks for your comments.

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:08 pm
by ninjason
I posted the same question on the Magic Online Traders League forum.

http://www.magictraders.com/ubb/Forum12 ... 17103.html

There were 2 suggestions; Magic Suitcase and MTG Studio. Has anyone here used either of these tools for cataloging their collection?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:06 pm
by Mister Foilcard
I use my own database, created with MS Access. The advantages are:
- very quick
- countless possibilities to make lists, filters
- relational model
- easy expandable
But you should have knowledge and understanding in handling of databases.

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:55 pm
by Alien_Starfighter_Pilot
I use an Excel spreadsheet I created to track the sets. As new MTG sets are released, it gets a little more complicated to navigate the tabs (each set I am collecting gets it's own tab). however, Excel lets me keep track of what sets I have collected completely, and I can filter out the cards I still need to collect. I also have it calculate percentages on a summary page. including promos, I currently have 93% of the cards I want to collect (ALL expansions, 3rd, 4th, and 10th+ core editions, plus all special sets and promos).

how you organize your cards is ultimately determined by how much detail you want to put into it.

Clay

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:22 pm
by berkumps
I admit, it needs a little work, but this is my cataloging method at the moment:

Image

Image

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:47 pm
by thulnanth
Aaaaaggghhh!!!

As a neat freak, that just made me cry :-P

Take it easy,
Jared

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:12 am
by caquaa
berkumps wrote:I admit, it needs a little work...
why? Looks fine to me!

I have random piles and boxes and such, I don't know exactly where everything is, but I didn remember seeing it in this pile over here...

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:16 am
by Alien_Starfighter_Pilot
ninjason,

I also use card binders and card sheets to store and organize my collection, and card shoeboxes to store the extras/leftovers.

I use tradecardsonline (see my signature line) to list my have and want lists. A problem with the website is that the promo list has occasional gaps or inconsistent information, and a couple duplicate listings. If you collect promos, my recommendation is to not trade for them with foreign players/collectors on that website (no offense, just the card condition or language is almost always wrong, wasting time and postage).

and berkumps, geez man, you need some kind of maid service to come straighten up that collection. still, saw some goodies in some of those stacks I'd love to have in my collection.

Clay

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:07 am
by berkumps
Alien_Starfighter_Pilot wrote:...still, saw some goodies in some of those stacks I'd love to have in my collection.
Clearly you must be talking about the Star Quest foils sitting on top of the Korean Exodus booster box. :-\'

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:32 am
by Didyeah
OMFG!!!!!!

Yo have a big Magic Store or what?

Couldn't imagine to take an entire piece of my house to stock magiccards (I have not enough cards to do that and not enough space ^^)

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:34 am
by berkumps
Well, they aren't exactly all MTG cards. There are cards from pretty much every scifi and fantasy ccg represented (including a metric ton of Wyvern).

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:16 am
by Alien_Starfighter_Pilot
Berkumps,

ummm, yes, clearly. :^o

I had no idea there had even BEEN foils for star quest (wasn't that game from the mid-90's?)

but are those B5 CCG booster boxes in the banana box (under a table)? I swear they look like they are from The Shadows expansion. And yes, Babylon 5 is another of the 3 CCGs I've collected.

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:04 am
by berkumps
Alien_Starfighter_Pilot wrote: but are those B5 CCG booster boxes in the banana box (under a table)? I swear they look like they are from The Shadows expansion. And yes, Babylon 5 is another of the 3 CCGs I've collected.
Ha, no those are Yugioh tins. However I have acquired a number of booster boxes of Premire, Shadows, Great War, Deluxe, Psi Corps, Severed Dreams, and Wheel of Fire since those pictures were taken. :wink:

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:43 am
by notsofasteddie
You are my hero =D> =D> The only man I know that make me look ORGANIZED :-D

berkumps wrote:I admit, it needs a little work, but this is my cataloging method at the moment:

Image

Image

berk's horde

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:21 pm
by Mirror_Lich
Now I know why "I had a stack set aside for you...nowletmesee.." is such an understatement.

But wheres the evidence of the 300 lbs of stuff I sent you?! That hurts man- it better not be down there with the wyvern.....

Also, is that the baby's crib under the green milkcrate? Dont forget, small infants need food and sunlight...occasionally.