After spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a piece of autographed memorabilia, you'll want to protect your new autographed baseball, photo or signed football as you would any other worthwhile investment. Here are a few tips on protecting your memorabilia in the long and short run.
Buy a UV-Resistant Glass Case
I know the last thing you'll want to do after spending over $1,000 on that Michael Jordan autographed basketball is to spend another $80 to $100 on a case. Here's the reality: over time, UV rays from the sun fade just about anything: the finish on your house or car, and especially a layer of ink on a basketball, baseball or helmet. Being that the value of your item is likely 99% dependent on that layer of ink, you'll want to take steps to protect it.
Leading manufacturers of protective glass cases coat their products with a layer of UV-resistant paneling which keeps ultraviolet light from reaching and fading the properties on your item. In addition to keeping your piece of memorabilia safe from the sun, a glass case also discourages direct handling of the item from friends, children and visitors. Finally, an enclosed glass case also protects your item from dust buildup.
Buy a UV-Resistant Photo Frame
The same goes for autographed photos. Sunlight and ultraviolet rays over time will fade not only fade your autograph but the photograph itself. Buying a UV-resistant photograph frame keeps sun and dust away and also discourages handling of the item.
Purchase Collectible Insurance
Whether you're protecting a Kobe Bryant autographed basketball, your signed Star Wars movie posters or a vintage stamp collection, companies such as Collectibles Insurance Services and Collect and Protect offer protection and insurance options for collectibles, autographs, antiques, sports cards and other kinds of memorabilia. Depending on your homeowner's insurance, some or all of your collection might be protected under your coverage. Don't take the chance, find out the specifics of your coverage from your insurance professional.
Protect Your Certificates of Authenticity
A certificate of authenticity is the most important component in determining the validity of a piece of vintage or autographed memorabilia. Protect all of your certificates in a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box and keep a file of which certificate corresponds to each of your items.
In the event you have lost and need to replace a certificate of authenticity, companies such as James Spence and PSA/DNA offer autograph authentication services and a number grade regarding the quality of the signature. Replacing a certificate of authenticity does not come cheap, but being able to verify the validity of your autograph collection is imperative in determining its value, especially if you're looking to sell your memorabilia down the line.
Find this article useful? You may also want to learn tips on how to spot a fake autograph.
Sean J. O'Rourke - I'm Sean, a 25-year old marketing professional, photographer and sports and music journalist currently living in northeastern New Jersey. ...
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