How to Preserve Autographs on a Baseball Bat

Series Summary

The term sports memorabilia usually refers to anything that can be directly connected to a sports event or personality. These items are generally gathered by the fans of the particular sport, athlete or team that the item signifies, or by collectors who find value in the rarity of these collectibles. Sports memorabilia often refers to autographed sports items as well. In this free video series, the owner and operator of a card-trading shop provides tips on selling and taking care of sports memorabilia. Discover how to preserve autographs on a baseball bat and ensure the value of the merchandise. Learn about selling sports memorabilia as well, whether it be jerseys, used equipment or photos.

Video Transcript

"My name is Walt Case. I own Card Traders of Austin, in Austin, Texas.We've been in business for a little over sixteen years, and we sell a variety of sports cards, and sports memorabilia. One question that is frequently asked, is how do I preserve an autograph on an autographed bat? a bat, such as this bat, signed by Ernie Banks. It's very critical that, that signature be preserved. One of the very best things you can do, is to keep it out of any kind of direct light. Even fluorescent light in a card shop, can damage an autograph. Depending on the kind of ink that is used on the autograph, also determines as to how volatile it may be, in its response to light. The worst thing you can do, is to display it in an area, where it can get direct sunlight, because that will fade the signature, and ultimately diminish or destroy the value of the signed bat, and you end up with a nice piece of wood, with nothing on it, so please keep your autographed material, whether it be a bat or anything else, out of any kind of direct sunlight, because that can certainly damage the signature beyond repair. There are certain protective devices that can be purchased, that cut out the ultraviolet rays, which are the most damaging rays to a signature. If you can find those at your local card store, or online, that might be a good investment, especially for a bat that has a signature of someone, that is very, very valuable, so please be very careful. Do not expose any of your autograph memorabilia, to any kind of direct sunlight, even a direct fluorescent light, because it will destroy the signature."