Protecting autographs

[Bestdj777]

I picked up an autographed helmet a few years ago. It was signed in the sixties with what I believe was a sharpy. When I got it, the signatures were pretty faded. I have it out on a shelf where it is exposed to some sunlight. Any suggestions for anything I can put on it (protective screen, etc.) that will protect the signatures from going anymore?

[dapro]

First off, get a UV protected case for it. Second, avoid direct sun light if possible.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by dapro

First off, get a UV protected case for it. Second, avoid direct sun light if possible.

Thanks John. I moved it out of the direct sunlight. It is one of those things that probably isn't worth the cost of a UV case, so was hoping for something cheaper. Its a Bronco's team signed helmet with only two notable signatures on it--OJ included. Unfortunately, they are so poor now that most of the value is lost. Wish there was some sort of peel and stick application.

I appreciate your help.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Thanks John. I moved it out of the direct sunlight. It is one of those things that probably isn't worth the cost of a UV case, so was hoping for something cheaper. Its a Bronco's team signed helmet with only two notable signatures on it--OJ included. Unfortunately, they are so poor now that most of the value is lost. Wish there was some sort of peel and stick application.

I appreciate your help.

I would think the above advice is about all you can do, short of tracing over the signatures to make them darker (which I know is a major no-no and devaluation technique). Good luck....

[drcy]

The less light the better. Especially removing useless light. For example, if everyone's out of the house for 16 hours, what's the point of letting the helmet sit in the sun when no one's there?

I agree with Leon. If it's a cheap, fading quickly item, tracing over in good ink is an idea. But if the sigs are still there, you can wait on that decision for a while.

[Bestdj777]

Thank you both. It is now in the shade, so hopefully that will work. It would feel way to wrong to trace over it. I'll have to keep an eye on it now that it is away from the light. If it gets any worse, I'll either move it into a closet or sell it to someone that can take better care of it.

I appreciate everyone weighing in. At some point, I've got to move out of this tiny apartment and get a place with a man cave where I can display my stuff. It is a shame to have fun stuff tucked away in a corner of a shelf or locked up in a safe.