That was me in the post above.... allowing them to breathe is just another way of saying that they should not be stored air tight. You want it to be able to adjust to subtle changes within its micro environment. Most elements of a ball will hold some amount of moisture. If you allow it to retain moisture, you may end up with spotty or moldy baseballs. If you contain an overly dry ball, its surface will dry and degrade. The tissue wrapped method allows them to float somewhere in between.

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I've been collecting signed baseballs for almost 30 years and first kept them in ball cubes and then ball display cases...both presumably airtight and have not had a problem with mold at all. Living in California where the humidity is not bad may have something to do with it though.

I know this thread is old, but hopefully someone can help me.
I've got about 30 signed baseballs (from 1988). They were in a safety deposit box, then in a dresser, but now I'm thinking of getting a waterproof/fireproof safe. Is this a good idea? they are currently in the cardboard box with the tissue paper. I don't need to display them, I just want to protect them.

Thanks!!

If they look good after 25 years of doing what you're doing, keep doing it. I personally wouldn't lock them up (for reasons mentioned above) unless they were in a climate controlled environment and their value was significant. Otherwise, I don't think you'd be doing them any favors.

My dad had them in a safe deposit box for a long time then just moved them into a dresser drawer for the last few years. I can just put them in a drawer also (still in the box with tissue paper), I just wasn't sure if I should get a safe to protect them from fire/water....or insure them?

A dresser drawer is probably adequate for storage, so long as you can maintain a moderate humidity level. Obviously, if the dresser is in the basement or the attic, that suggestion goes out the window. You could buy a small humidity monitor to keep tabs on the moisture level in your location and adjust the climate accordingly, or as you see fit. You could probably find a digital monitor for around $20. As far as protecting the value, insurance is probably your most cost effective way to protect yourself from loss.

As far as insurance, these need to be added to my homeowners policy, they won't be covered under the regular HO policy, right?

Also consider that most fire safes are designed to protect their contents from complete destruction in the event of a fire, not to keep sensitive collectibles in top condition in the midst of an inferno. Given the options of recovering signed balls from a safe that had been through a fire, or receiving a cash payout for balls that were destroyed in a fire, I know which I would rather have.

Regular homeowners may cover a limited amount of "collectibles." Usually around $1000 give or take.

You can get a collectibles rider on your homeowners to increase the amount or buy a separate collectibles policy. I have never filed a claim, but anecdotally I have heard that dealing and valuing your items is typically a better experience with a specialist like Collectibles Insurance Services, rather than having to deal with a general insurer like your homeowners.

http://www.collectinsure.com/

I have had a policy through CIS for years. It's reasonably priced and you only need to itemize individual items valued over $5000. What I really like is the mail loss coverage which often negates the need for me to purchase postal insurance. In effect, the policy pays for itself in this regard.

For the cynical among us, I have no financial interest in this company... Just offering the information as a customer. :)