There are a lot of different ways that you can show that you are a fan of your favorite sports teams. From jerseys,to collectables,to even tattoos,fans have shown their appreciation for the teams that they love in a variety of ways. Perhaps no other thing proves your fandom than having some exclusive memorabilia from your team or its players. Owning a piece of sports memorabilia history can be invaluable to someone who cherishes it,and a lot of people will go to great lengths just to get it. Maybe you have a signed baseball,a game used hockey stick,the gloves from your favorite wide receiver,or even a signed pair of shoes from your favorite basketball player. No matter what it is,you want to display it proudly,and let the world know exactly what it means to you.
Securing Your Items
In times past,it was difficult to make sure that memorabilia was stored in a way that kept its integrity. It’s no secret that things can deteriorate over time,especially if it isn’t cared for. Now,people have display cases,or sometimes entire rooms,dedicated to displaying memorabilia. It’s important to understand how lighting,dust,and excessive handling can compromise the integrity of your items. We all remember the scene in the movie The Sandlot,where a child decided that a Babe Ruth autographed baseball was ok to play with. Make sure to avoid these circumstances and have your prized possession secured properly.
Lighting and Dust
It doesn’t matter if you have a “man-cave” or just a dedicated display case,take the time to make sure that the conditions are right for storage. Have soft lighting around the items,and refrain from direct sunlight. Also,consider plastic casing around your items to prevent dust,and acting as a barrier between the items and people’s hands. The oils and dirt that are on our hands can severely damage fragile items and will cause lettering and fragile materials to deteriorate over time. With a solid casing,you are eliminating these possibilities.
Check Its Authenticity
The last thing you need to worry about,or maybe the first thing depending on how you look at it,is how to make sure that the item you own is authentic. If you got the item directly from the athlete,or the sports organization,then you 100% know that it is legit. If you go through a vendor though,it can be different. Unfortunately,there are a number of people looking to make a quick buck through fake items. Make sure you are getting a certificate of authenticity with your items if you are planning to buy them from a store,or if you have the means,get it appraised yourself. Getting an authentic piece of memorabilia from your favorite team or athlete is amazing,just make sure you are getting the real deal,and are storing it in the best way possible.