How to store an expensive ball???

[tlwise12]

How would you store an expensive autographed ball??? I would like advice on how to display it and keeping it locked away!

Thanks so much!

Travis
tlwise12@aol.com

[slidekellyslide]

It's best just to store expensive autographed baseballs in the darkness and just bring them out to show them off occasionally. If you absolutely have to display it though makes sure it's behind UV glass.

[mr2686]

I would also add that you should not go cheap on the UV Glass. Use Museum quality glass. You can order it or have your framer do so. That's all I use as well as making sure any room where I have balls, autographs, pictures, etc displayed is kept dark unless I'm showing them off.

[collectbaseball]

I'm looking forward to the responses on this one, even in regards to storing a cheap autographed ball. I had a few balls I got signed at the 1999 All Star FanFest in plastic ball cube things, and the ballpoint ink has bled a lot (due to humidity, I believe?). The ones in the spherical plastic holders have fared better. What's the best way to store a ball to combat humidity, etc? Should I be wrapping them in saran wrap or something? Do the glass cases like Steiner sells protect effectively enough against UV?

[FUBAR]

if you are going to display them, yes UV glass is important. One other thing that has plenty of benefits is change all lighting to LED lights. They will save on power consumption but also have no UV.

im not sure where one would go for museum grade uv glass or how affordable that is, but when i do my displays, i am going to look into it. Id be interested to know how much advantage it would offer over regular uv glass.

[mr2686]

It might or might not have anything to do with humidity. Some ink tends to bleed more than others on balls...and even if not the ink, it sometimes has to do with the oils from your fingers that might have touched the area before it was signed. My general rule of thumb, buy a ball, take it out with gloves and make sure it's not blemished where you want it signed. If you don't have gloves, like during a show, only handle it by the laces. Put the signed ball in a case or display cube that is made with high quality uv glass. Try to keep them out of the light as much as possible. Also, I like to use Bic medium point pens...I've had the best luck with them. I have about 110 balls, alot of which are from back in the 80's, and the one's where I could control the pen used, ball, etc are all looking great. There are a couple that look a bit faded due to the pen used and a couple that have bled a bit (either an ink or handling issue). If you live in an area with high humidity, and you have a memorabilia room, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. In California we really don't have a need for one, but I've been to other states where I would invest in a couple

[Scott Garner]

I agree with Mike and using Bic medium point pens. They have always been my favorite pen choice. I would also add that using BLUE ink as opposed to black is a great idea. Black ball point ink frequently fades, and, in my mind, is a recipe for disaster. I avoid it because I have been burned a few times, especially if the signer has a light touch with a pen. Two HOF guys that sign with light pen pressure that come to mind are Tony Gwynn and Eddie Murray.

When it comes to signatures that bleed, there are a lot of reasons that this seems to happen with a baseball. Leather baseballs are not always as stable as a piece of paper when it comes to a sig. One that Mike didn't mention is that all baseballs are not created equal. Experience has shown me that some balls just seem to naturally end up with toning and bleeding signatures regardless of how you handle them (on the laces, etc.) and what pen you use.

Originally Posted by mr2686

It might or might not have anything to do with humidity. Some ink tends to bleed more than others on balls...and even if not the ink, it sometimes has to do with the oils from your fingers that might have touched the area before it was signed. My general rule of thumb, buy a ball, take it out with gloves and make sure it's not blemished where you want it signed. If you don't have gloves, like during a show, only handle it by the laces. Put the signed ball in a case or display cube that is made with high quality uv glass. Try to keep them out of the light as much as possible. Also, I like to use Bic medium point pens...I've had the best luck with them. I have about 110 balls, alot of which are from back in the 80's, and the one's where I could control the pen used, ball, etc are all looking great. There are a couple that look a bit faded due to the pen used and a couple that have bled a bit (either an ink or handling issue). If you live in an area with high humidity, and you have a memorabilia room, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. In California we really don't have a need for one, but I've been to other states where I would invest in a couple