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protecting autographs question...
Posted on 5/10/09 at 2:05 pm
Posted on 5/10/09 at 2:05 pm
I've had various baseballs signed with felt tip pens, sharpies, and even the standard ballpoint pen. And for whatever reason, they fade more often than not. I've had some ballpoint pens fade (bigtime, and by that I mean smudge too) on official baseballs (game used and whatnot). I've had some not fade. I've had sharpies fade on some, and not fade. I've gotten used to signing on used balls, they tend to keep better when they are roughed up. But I think maybe having a ball signed that is obtained on gameday is bad because of the humidity element.
My question is this. What is the best way to get an autograph on a baseball and have it keep. I have heard so many opinions, and it still doesn't work for me. I need details, like types of balls, storing conditions, etc, etc.
My question is this. What is the best way to get an autograph on a baseball and have it keep. I have heard so many opinions, and it still doesn't work for me. I need details, like types of balls, storing conditions, etc, etc.
3
Posted on 5/10/09 at 2:07 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:
My question is this. What is the best way to get an autograph on a baseball and have it keep. I have heard so many opinions, and it still doesn't work for me. I need details, like types of balls, storing conditions, etc, etc.
One major problem is humidity. The best thing to do (from what I understand) is store balls in an air tight container purged with nitrogen gas.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 3:58 pm to Stagg8
quote:
One major problem is humidity. The best thing to do (from what I understand) is store balls in an air tight container purged with nitrogen gas.
Hmm...
I just know that when I get a ball signed the day I retrieve a foul ball or something, it will fade. whereas if I get a ball one day, bring it out a few games later and get it signed, it is better. However, there is at least one that I have that is an exception.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 4:04 pm to TexasTiger08
i dunno but I met stanley roberts last night
Posted on 5/10/09 at 4:04 pm to TexasTiger08
the light in your house is what is making it fade. store in a dark place would be my advice
Posted on 5/10/09 at 6:06 pm to rocket31
leather absorbs some of the ink if it is a poor quality inked being used in the pen. so you could store it in the dark and it wont matter. make sure you use a good pen upfront
Posted on 5/10/09 at 6:17 pm to TexasTiger08
One other thing to consider, maybe, is that balls are typically treated before a game (at least at the MLB level) with that Delaware River Mud concoction to take the shine and newness off the balls - and I would think they do this at the college and minor league levels as well. There has to be some level of moisture content in that stuff as it soaks into a ball. Maybe by getting it oen day and then waiting a few days to have it signed allows that moisture to dry out. If you get it signed same day, the ink fades as the moisture content in/on the ball is reduced.
As others have said, once you have one signed, case it up in as air tight a container as possible and keep it out of the light. If you want to display it, get a case made with UV glass.
As others have said, once you have one signed, case it up in as air tight a container as possible and keep it out of the light. If you want to display it, get a case made with UV glass.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 6:26 pm to TexasTiger08
humidity, light, and temperature variations all are very rough on the ink. Also, a key is simply using a high quality permanent ink pen to begin with. If you are an autograph seeker never carry ballpoint pins, but instead always use Sharpie type pens.
Also, for some autographs on paper/photos even the way you frame them can make a difference. Certain surfaces are more reactive and carry different PH levels.
Also, for some autographs on paper/photos even the way you frame them can make a difference. Certain surfaces are more reactive and carry different PH levels.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 6:27 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
One other thing to consider, maybe, is that balls are typically treated before a game (at least at the MLB level) with that Delaware River Mud concoction to take the shine and newness off the balls - and I would think they do this at the college and minor league levels as well.
true. Never use balls intended for game use unless the ball itself marks a milestone.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 8:35 pm to Elleshoe
quote:
i dunno but I met stanley roberts last night
I already met the guy...huge dude.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 8:37 pm to rocket31
quote:
the light in your house is what is making it fade. store in a dark place would be my advice
no sir. I put them in drawers. Once, it faded overnight, straight up.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 8:38 pm to el tigre
quote:
true. Never use balls intended for game use unless the ball itself marks a milestone.
I'll take that into consideration. Usually I use nothing but game used balls. I like the official game ball feel and whatnot.
Posted on 5/10/09 at 9:22 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:This is just food for thought, but I have a Wilson A1010 baseball that everyone on my senior year high school baseball team signed (I think each of the seniors got one) and they were brand new out of the package when we passed them around to get them signed. It has been on a shelf still in the original box (no case, no nothing) since 1994 and the sigs, most done in ball point, are still very strong.
I'll take that into consideration. Usually I use nothing but game used balls. I like the official game ball feel and whatnot.
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