Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Kaminski on January 8, 2020 at 7:04pm

First off, I'd suggest you open everything you receive to make sure it is actually what you ordered and not a bait and switch or even an honest mistake. Dealing with such problems is much easier upon receiving items versus months down the line. 

As long as you keep your items out of direct sunlight and in a decent environment (not something like an unfinished cellar), you should be fine. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on January 8, 2020 at 7:43pm

As long as you’re sure you got what you paid for, your items should be very safe from fading as they are covered up.  Mike is right.  Keep them out of direct sunlight, but also keep in mind that regular room light itself can lead to slow fading over time.  

If you will eventually display them, then, as said before, keep them out of direct sunlight, and secondly put them under UV protected glass or acrylic.  Also, make sure you’re aware of how much UV protection you’re getting.  I recently purchased a couple of UV protected basketball cases.  I checked with multiple sellers to see how much UV protection their cases provided because only one seller offered this info up front.  That seller’s cases provided 85% UV protection which is pretty good.  Ballqube said their cases were 98% UV.  However, their cases have UV which is applied post-production and therefore will probably only last about 10 years.

The seller offering 85% UV has cases with built-in UV that lasts much longer I believe.

Most other sellers’ cases UV was about 65%.  Others were 50%, but they all said UV protected.

However, too much room light will still fade autographs (more slowly perhaps) over time, UV or not.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on January 9, 2020 at 2:20am

Solid advice already given here. All I can add is that you have amazing self control. I'm like a kid and have to open every package as soon as I receive it!

• ▶ Reply