Do you have a Babe Ruth autograph worth thousands of dollars?  Or how about an autograph of Michael Jackson that you treasure because you obtained it personally from the King of Pop himself?  Most collectors of memorabilia apply special care when it comes to maintaining their items.  Autograph collectors need to be especially fastidious because autographs on paper are very fragile.  However, lack of knowledge or careless handling may damage or destroy your treasured autographs.

Valuable autographs need to be maintained in a safe place.  Keeping them in a frame that is not securely mounted on a wall is an open invitation to theft.  Similarly, autographs that are stored in a binder should not be left unattended for public viewing.  Autographs that are not maintained in a secure environment may be misplaced or accidentally thrown away in the nearest trash receptacle.

A safe environment for an autograph also means one that is free from excess humidity, high temperatures, and direct sunlight.  Autographs on paper should be stored with archival material such as Mylar-D.  Any other type of plastic receptacle in contact with autographs on paper will release toxins that can damage autographs.  Avoid acid-containing paper mounts.  One of the worst offenders is black paper used for mounting photos.  The acid content of black photography mounting paper is extremely high.  Acid from this type of paper is destructive and will discolor your paper autographs.

Be careful how you mount autographs in a display.  Paper autographs should not be pressed against the glazing because water condensation will bleed and discolor your autographs.  Any glazing that doesn't screen out ultraviolet light will allow damaging light rays to fade your autographs, especially if they are exposed to direct sunlight.

Avoid non-archival mounting attachments for your paper autograph.  At one time non-acidic linen tape was thought to be safe for attaching autographs to mat board.  However, linen tape will cause loss of paper when peeled away from delicate paper.  It is best to place paper autographs in displays with Mylar-D plastic corners or to have them completely enclosed in Mylar-D plastic sleeves.

Most serious autograph collector know how to destroy valuable autographs and use sensible measures to preserve and protect them.  Preserving your autographs in a safe and secure environment will help ensure your enjoyment of treasured autographs for many years to come.

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