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How long can an autograph be in the open for?

I have bought autograph's which I have no idea how to frame yet. How long can I leave them out? I keep them in a drawer, protected, but I know I can't keep them like that forever. Is there a better way to keep them from fading etc. for a while until I can frame them?

Thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 11:49pm

Do you have any photo of these frame spacers?

Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on July 1, 2016 at 4:06am

Just click on the words "frame spacers - Google Search"

In the post where I first mention them.

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 8:52pm

Crisis diverted, 20 minute job probably saved me thousands, ill grab some sleeves that ballroom mentioned for storage.

Thanks to everyone who had something to add.

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 9:45pm

Some things frame better than other, lp's, posters but fine pieces of paper can pose as a bit of a challenge.

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 1, 2016 at 4:28am

Thanks Pete, I had a look it at frame spacers, very similar to a box frame.

You have to learn quick in this hobby. So plastic sweats, but the pvc , acid free doesn't sweat? Well as I said I took my expensive investment out of my frame, thank god.

Sure,Pete I understand top loaders can scratch the signatures on photos just by inserting them in and out. People need to be aware of these problems.

Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on July 1, 2016 at 4:50am

PVC free and Acid free (Polypropylene)is a step in the right direction. The most inert and safest stuff to use for long term conservation is stuff in the Mylar family (Polyester), I think Steve mentioned it earlier, and for super high end items, it would be the way to go.

The only drawback for Mylar is the cost and not many people using it because of that cost. (usually double that of Polypropylene or more) If you have an item that is worth thousands of dollars, a small investment of a few dollars makes perfect sense.

When you have 10's of thousands of signed pieces and some are not very valuable that cost starts to really pile up. So it is all a matter of picking and choosing your battles.....buy 10 thousand Mylar sleeves, or use that money to buy more autographs?

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 1, 2016 at 4:55am

Sure, the pvc free, acid free folder is a step in the right direction, somewhere to store the loose paper graphs.

Permalink Reply by Samuel John Clifford on July 1, 2016 at 5:00am

Hey Pete I have one of these and I was wondering if my graphs I'm collecting would be safe in this? They are for 11x14s and this Rose is a 8x10 but it also came in a protective sleeve and I kept it in that protective sleeve and put it into the folder sleeve as well. So it looks like this.

The folder protector sleeves I'm using are these below.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DC0T3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_...

Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on July 1, 2016 at 5:13am

Itoya photo albums are great, they know that the stuff must be PVC free and acid free. I would lose the protective sleeve if you don't know what it is made of, and I would suggest getting an album from Itoya made for 8x10. This will keep the photo from slipping around and scratching inside a larger folder.

A regular D Ring 3 ring binder and some Ultra Pro pages will work just as well for 8x10 size. You will fit far more into the 3 ring binder.

The main thing to be aware of is that anything you put your items into should state on the package Acid free & PVC Free.

Permalink Reply by Samuel John Clifford on July 1, 2016 at 5:21am

Alright Pete, thank you for the response and helping me out. I'll be sure to get one made for 8x10s and swap this one out. Thanks for the suggestion for the Ultra Pro pages as well.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on July 1, 2016 at 10:14am

Eric

Permalink Reply by Chicklet McTushy on July 3, 2016 at 12:23am

Really - Itoya 8x10 binders are the best for archival storage.
If you live near a Michael's store, you can use their 40% off coupon and get it for about $6. Archival storage at a reasonable price.
Amazon has them too.