Protecting Your Sports Memorabilia Collection

By Dee Dee Smith

Whether you are collecting as a hobby or as an investor, you'll want to be sure to take every precaution to protect your assets. 

The truth is that you have invested lots of time, money and even emotions into your collection  And whether you plan to later sell for profit or to leave it for your heirs, you'll want to keep it in pristine condition.  The overall value of your collection will be determined by how well you've protected it.  Natural elements such as the sun and wind, dust or even excessive handling can damage your pieces.

Protecting Your Memorabilia

Commemorative helmets, baseballs, tennis balls, hockey sticks and bats should be kept in protective display cases.   The cases should have a UV protective shield (somewhat like that of sunglasses) to protect your items against dust and fading.  A quality case should be attractive and complimentary to your memorabilia, and it should offer you easy access to your piece. 

Memorabilia such as magazines, tickets, photos and event programs are especially prone to damage  Several storage options are available, nonetheless you’ll want to choose the one that best works for you while providing the best protection for your collection  For example, if you want to “show off” your collection, you’ll want to choose a method that allows for easy visibility but does not allow for too much handling.  One such method is to have your memorabilia displayed, mounted and protected in a high quality, UV protective shadowbox or collectible frame.   To insure this is done properly, you’ll want to choose a company that has experience working with sports collectibles.  Other options include acid-free archival storage boxes, resealable sleeves/bags or albums.  When storing thin sheets of paper, be sure to keep the pages flat by using an acid-free backer board.

Sports cards are very popular in the memorabilia industry.  To keep your collection safe, you’ll need to come up with a storage solution that protects your cards from both fading and tearing.  Sports cards can safely be stored in plastic sleeves, storage boxes, hard plastic cases or card collecting binders. 

Other collectibles such as collectible coins or autographed jerseys should also be well protected.  Coins should be kept in a coin box, holder or album.  Jerseys should be protected in a jersey case (which will allow you to display your treasure), or in a textile conservation box. 

Even though your items are well protected, it is still wise to keep them away from exposure to the sun, smoke, food, water and other potentially hazardous items.  If you have children around, you’ll also want to be sure to store or display your collectibles in a place in which the children cannot get to them.

Insuring Your Memorabilia

Next you'll want to take precautions to protect against a loss in your investment.  After having your collection appraised (get more than one appraisal from individuals experienced in sports collectibles), you'll want to explore options for insuring your collection.  If you have just a couple of pieces, your homeowners policy may provide adequate coverage.  However, it is best to talk with you insurance professional before assuming that you are covered.  If you have several pieces or a collection, you'll want to purchase separate coverage.  This can be in the form of a special “collectibles” policy or a rider on your homeowner’s policy.  Be sure to do an insurance assessment at least annually or whenever you make a major purchase.  Your insurance should grow with the value and quantity of your collection. 

Lastly, be sure to keep your receipts and Certificates of Authenticity in a safe place (i.e. safety deposit or fire proof box).  As you build your collection, you’ll want to take photos and maintain an inventory list.    Inventory lists should be neatly organized with each collectible being assigned a number.  Lists should also include pertinent information about each item such as product details, original price, date of purchase and estimated value.  This list will also need to be updated either annually or as often as you add to your collection.  Remember, market values change, so you’ll also need to adjust your estimated values periodically.  An easy way to maintain your inventory list is by creating a database and storing it on both your hard drive and a CD.