Sealed-collectible guide

How to Inventory a Sealed Collection

Category, product, edition, seal type, package condition, provenance and value research.

Factory-sealed collecting rewards careful identification and restraint. The same visual sign can be normal on one product and suspicious on another, so category-specific comparison matters more than generic “reseal tricks.”

1. Assign an ID

Assign an ID should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

2. Photograph all sides

Photograph all sides should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

3. Record edition

Record edition should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

4. Describe seal

Describe seal should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

5. Note flaws

Note flaws should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

6. Track storage

Track storage should be evaluated against the exact category, era, package format and documented factory variation. Preserve evidence, photograph before handling and avoid turning one visual clue into a definitive authenticity claim.

Preservation rule: Do not open, peel, puncture, heat, rewrap, flatten or chemically treat packaging to test authenticity or improve appearance.

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