TI Home Computer and Dragon's Lair protector boxes from Katana Collectibles

[+OLD CS1]

I have been working with Katana Collectibles to refine protection boxes for our TI-99 Home Computer.  Right now we have perfected the retail boxes, retail trays, the Plato Interpreter and similarly-sized trays^*, and Dragon's Lair official release.

 

 

 

- Dragon's Lair Official TI-99/4A Release: www.katanacollectibles.com/K42768

- TI Home Computer Software Retail Box: www.katanacollectibles.com/K42765

- TI Home Computer Software Tray (no box): www.katanacollectibles.com/K42766

- TI Home Computer Plato Interpreter: www.katanacollectibles.com/K42815

 

(The Dragon's Lair boxes have extra room in the back to accommodate the tabs which poke out of the back of the box.)

 

* Such as the Personal Report Generator in-tray.

 

Coming soon: Solid State Software module (cartridge) boxes, and the TI Extended BASIC package will be tested for fit next week.

 

Boxes are available in two styles: GFL (glue-less, friction-less) and pre-glued as a full box or sleeve.  Other options include locking tab style or no locking tab, top or bottom entry for the pre-glued, hanging tab or no hanging tab, and tight or comfort fit.

 

[+OLD CS1]

BTW, someone else did up a protector for the full computer box:

 

Protector For Texas Instruments Home Computer TI-99/4A

https://katanacollectibles.com/kc-4658/

[+OLD CS1]

Also, the game cart boxes are currently listed, but they are 1mm too big in each dimension.  I will post up when they have been corrected.

[Gary from OPA]

How is the aging if these new clear protection boxes. How long before they need to be replaced, or are they better plastic that doesn't yellow over time?

[+OLD CS1]

1 minute ago, Gary from OPA said:

How is the aging if these new clear protection boxes. How long before they need to be replaced, or are they better plastic that doesn't yellow over time?

It is a thicker plastic than other protector boxes I have picked up in the past.  It is sold as UV protective.  Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine.  I cannot tell you about the plastics, but the company has had an eBay store since 2003.  They have been great to work with on the back-end.

[+OLD CS1]

I found the Statistics cartridge in a side-windowed retail box.  The manual for this cart is particularly thick, so the front pocket is bent out of shape.  This makes it thicker than the Demonstration module I got in the same style box.

 

I would like to have a preservation display box made for this style of retail box, as well, but I want to make sure I understand the various forms and shapes in which it might have come.  Does anyone have other modules in the side-windowed (where the cartridge label shows through the "spine") retail box style?

[Andrewmacattack]

29 minutes ago, OLD CS1 said:

I found the Statistics cartridge in a side-windowed retail box.  The manual for this cart is particularly thick, so the front pocket is bent out of shape.  This makes it thicker than the Demonstration module I got in the same style box.

 

I would like to have a preservation display box made for this style of retail box, as well, but I want to make sure I understand the various forms and shapes in which it might have come.  Does anyone have other modules in the side-windowed (where the cartridge label shows through the "spine") retail box style?

I have three titles in the original 99/4 style boxes, Terminal Emulator I , Diagnostics and Demonstration. My German edition of Statistics came in the European style box.

[+OLD CS1]

1 hour ago, Andrewmacattack said:

I have three titles in the original 99/4 style boxes, Terminal Emulator I , Diagnostics and Demonstration. My German edition of Statistics came in the European style box.

Ah, very cool.  Is that how it is, then: the side-windowed retail box is the original TI-99/4-era design?  Are yours uniform in depth (front-to-back?)

[Andrewmacattack]

8 hours ago, OLD CS1 said:

Ah, very cool.  Is that how it is, then: the side-windowed retail box is the original TI-99/4-era design?  Are yours uniform in depth (front-to-back?)

Yes all the same sizes.

[+OLD CS1]

Katana Collectibles sent me this reply today:

 

Quote

All Katana Collectibles protectors are made of thick 0.5mm PET plastic. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a durable, clear plastic known for its strength and resistance to yellowing over time.

 

Our protectors come with removable protective film on both sides and include UV protection. Based on our experience, these protectors maintain their clarity well. We've been making these custom protectors for about 4 years now, and the original ones are still in great condition, with only some minor micro scratches from handling and moving.

 

While we can't predict exactly how long they'll last in every situation, we're confident in their long-term performance. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

 

I am expecting the updated loose cartridge and Extended BASIC boxes to arrive in about a week.  Once I confirm them for fit, I will post the links.