How To Preserve Autographed Photographs.
We all have our favourite celebrity, artist, band or athlete that we look up to
, idolise and follow their careers. Most of us indulge our interest by buying books on our heroes, or CDs, read about them in magazines or even pay to go and see them perform live. But if you are a true hardcore fan these sorts of things may not be enough for you. Hardcore fans want to know everything there is to know about their idols and really feel the need to be closer to them. It is thought that the main target for memorabilia is music. Extreme music fans want autographs, gig tickets, signed photographs and any sort of memorabilia that they can find.For some people building up a collection is a way of inhabiting a space next to the people they admire, or touching something that they have touched and generally feeling closer to their idol. In some strange way, perhaps they are hoping that some of their idols magic will rub off on them and then they will be able to follow in their footsteps. It is fair to say that some memorabilia collectors are obsessive in their quest for proximity to their idol.
Others see collecting memorabilia as more of a hobby or a pastime. People take great pleasure in creating a collection and take pride in preserving it. However, others collect memorabilia as an investment and a way of making a financial gain. Of course some investors combine this with a genuine interest but the main motive is money.
Whatever your reason for collecting memorabilia you will want to preserve your collection to the best possible standards as any damage may decrease the price or your own enjoyment of a piece. One of the most difficult articles to preserve is an autographed photograph. Autographs are very precious and it can be hard to keep them looking as fresh and clear as it did the day it was signed. Do not worry though, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to preserve your beloved autograph.
Firstly, it is essential to keep the paper out of the sun and away from any ultraviolet rays. These harmful rays can break down the paper and cause oxidation, both in the ink and the paper. This can cause the autograph to fade over time and ruin your photograph. You must avoid excess humidity, so do not keep your photo on a window sill or in a hot place in your house. This can be especially harmful if the climate is humid. It is best to keep the autograph in an airtight or container.
It is important to take precautions when handling the autograph to avoid any damage. You should use lint-free photography gloves when handling the autograph as the oils from your hands can break down ink and paper over time. Putting a barrier between the paper and your fingertips will keep the autograph intact for longer.
You may want to invest in a buffer board to keep the autograph on. These boards are treated with an alkaline layer that neutralises the acids in most papers. These tend to be used mainly by baseball card collectors and comic book collectors as a way of keeping their collections safe.
If you are looking to start a collection or obtain more pieces for your already established collection, then why not visit Genuine Memorabilia and look at their extensive collection of genuine pieces of memorabilia. Whether you are looking for memorabilia from the world of sports, film, politics, television or music then you are sure to find something of interest here. For more information click here.
by: Suzlar