How to Store Autographed Memorabilia
Properly storing autographed items – whether they are photos, sports cards, envelopes, cards or letter – is worth the effort. When storing autographs, concerns are paper and its acids, the oils in your hands, moisture and light. Most modern paper contains acids that react with other pieces of paper, other materials and with paper itself. Any time paper touches paper or any other material, except acid-free materials, the paper will react. In addition, the oils in your hands can leave permanent finger prints on photographs or stain paper. Moisture can discolor, stain or ruin signatures. Direct sunlight fades all printed materials.
Use only acid-free materials, place your items where they can be seen but not touched by your hands, protected from moisture and sunlight. To do this, use either an “acid-free” scrapbook or photo album or a document protector album.
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Things You'll Need
- autographs
- acid free large photo album or scrap book (option #1)
- acid free document protectors (option #2)
- 3 x 5 cards
- pen
Instructions
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Purchase a photo or scrapbook album with acid-free backing and dividers large enough for your collection to grow and, when possible, one that allows additional sheets to be added. Look for one that is archival quality. The pages must be large enough to fit your largest autographs, plus envelopes or other keepsakes.
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Arrange you items in an attractive manner with the autograph plainly centered. Save any envelopes or other paper ephemera from the event and keep it with the autograph. But place them separately so they do not touch each other.
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Open greeting and invitation cards flat and place them with the autograph readable. Folded cards will be damaged over time from paper acids.
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Hold documents in place by acid-free clear covers or acid-free corner or side holders. They should never be taped, glued or permanently attached to the autograph book. This will cause damage to the autograph, cause a reaction from the glue or tape and possibly hurt the value of the autographs if you ever want to sell them.
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Take a small index card and mark the information about the autograph, such as when and where it was obtained, by whom and purchase information if applicable.
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Store the autograph book upright in a book case or shelf, preferably on an inside wall out of direct sunlight. Autographs will remain crisp and undamaged for your lifetime if kept this way.
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Tips & Warnings
Carry acid-free markers or pens to events for autographs.
Stickers can be applied to the outside of document protectors, instead of 3x5 cards, without damaging the documents.
If your collection grows large, put an index on the inside cover of your autograph book.
If you take your autograph book to shows or events, ensure your name and contact information is plainly marked inside.
Limit handling autographs with your bare hands. Antique and valuable autographs and papers should be handled with clean cotton gloves to prevent oils from your hands damaging the paper.
Never use glue or tape on autographs or papers you want to preserve. Glue is almost impossible to remove and tape causes discoloration and reacts with the acids in paper.
A torn autograph is better than a taped one.
Never seal the tops of document protectors, the document needs to breath.
