The Best Ways to Preserve Signed Baseballs

After baseball cards, signed game balls are among the most treasured collectible items for baseball fans. For those collectors who have never had the opportunity to ask for a player's autograph in person, there's an enormous industry dedicated to the buying and selling of autographed baseballs, especially antique balls from Hall of Fame members. Preserving your treasure and its value might be a simpler matter than finding and purchasing it.

  1. Avoid Light Exposure

    • According to Simeon Lipman, an expert sports collectibles appraiser for PBS's Antique Roadshow, one of the easiest ways to preserve the quality of your autographed baseball is to keep it out of light. Light, especially sunlight, degrades the ink faster and also dries the leather upon which the name was signed. Significant fading of the inked signature can occur. During one Antique Roadshow, Lipman didn't blink when the owner explained he kept valuable baseballs in a shoebox under his bed. Lipman's sole concern was ensuring they were kept out of the light.

    Limit Ball Handling

    • All experts advise limited handling of the autographed ball to preserve the signature. This recommendation is based on the porous leather of the baseball and the natural oils and perspiration on skin that that naturally transfer to the ball. In the past, some collectors shellacked their balls to preserve them but with markedly mixed results. This option would not be advised.

    Museum Conditions

    • Ideally, antique autographed baseballs are best preserved at a room temperature of 65 to 70 degrees with 50 percent humidity. Collectors are advised to examine their treasures periodically to assess for signs of deterioration, such as fading or cracking.

    Acrylic Holders

    • Sports collectible expert Lipmon advises autographed baseball collectors to invest in at least an acrylic holder to protect the ball from handling. Cases or holders range from inexpensive plastic orbs to polished wooden shadowbox frames with special light-limiting glass. Whatever option you choose, your treasure will be protected.