What Can Harm Your Autographed Item? Dangers To Watch Out For

Published on: May 16, 2017

So you’ve triumphantly returned home from the game with the autograph of your favorite player. It’s an exhilarating feeling, to be sure. You’ve spent time and effort trying to get this autograph, and now it’s finally in your hands.

But what’s your next move? How are you going to protect and display that autograph? If it isn’t done properly, then there are plenty of ways that your autograph could be damaged or even ruined permanently. Here’s what to watch out for if you want to keep that signature in tip-top shape.

Temperature Spikes

Heat and humidity are two enemies of your autograph. Not only can they damage the item itself, but the autograph can end up running or smudging when exposed to warm and damp conditions. That means an attic that isn’t temperature controlled, or a basement that tends to get wet when it rains, aren’t the ideal spots for your autographed item. The last thing you want is mold or mildew affecting your autographed memorabilia.

Over Handling

The temptation to take out an autographed item and hand it around to friends and family can be great, especially if it’s a baseball or football, but you should try not to constantly handle your autographed item. The dirt and oils from your fingers can harm the autograph, and there’s always risk involved when someone else is holding onto a cherished item. One slip and it could wind up rolling across a dirty floor.

If you’re getting out an autographed baseball to show off to friends, remember to hold it only by the seams to avoid damaging the leather.

Over Protection

Sometimes your signatures will begin to fade, but under no circumstances should you try to “redraw” them with a pen or other item. That will destroy their value, and it will be obvious to any observer. A faded autograph is always preferable to any destruction of the original.

You should also avoid putting any shellac or varnish on the item in order to preserve it. This will end up yellowing a baseball, and ultimately the autograph will deteriorate due to the chemicals. It may be tempting to try to find various internet methods of preserving your autographed memorabilia, but you should stick with what’s tried and true.

Sunlight

Sunlight and harsh fluorescent lighting can harm your autograph, fading it away rapidly. The UV rays from the light are responsible for the fading, so either keep your autograph out of the sunlight, or get a case that protects from UV rays.

There are lots of dangers to look out for when it comes to protecting your autographed memorabilia, but at BallQube, we’ve got you covered. No matter what type of item you have autographed—balls, jerseys, playing cards, bats, hockey sticks—we’ve got a case to store it in.

Now you can store and display your precious autograph without worrying about how it could be damaged. So check out our selection today and find the perfect BallQube for your memorabilia!