Autographed photos of celebrities and icons are a rare find. It is only natural for collectors to desire to display their cherished memorabilia; not everybody gets to own an authentic autograph from a 20th-century actor or iconic sportsman.
If you have an authentic Clark Gable signed photograph or a Bob Ruth photograph, you would also want to keep it in pristine condition to preserve its value. Photographs and other memorabilia can degrade rapidly if stored poorly. Things like heat, humidity, and UV radiation deteriorate quality and can depreciate the value of your authenticated, rare, signed movie star Photographs.
You can’t store these types of photographs like ordinary photos, and that’s why we have curated this content for you- The ultimate guide for storing autographed photographs. Let us first take a look at two ways to display your photograph while preserving its value.
Frames
If you want to display your rare photo, you can have it framed. You could go for a floating glass frame or a more vintage-looking frame to match the aesthetic- luckily, there are many options you can choose from. Aside from enhancing the aesthetics, you need to ensure that the frame is suited for the photograph. This means making sure that the frame is made with conservation-grade materials. The frame must be made of acid-free materials (mat and backboard) that won’t degrade the autograph or picture.
If you are buying a frame for your signed photo, we recommend getting a deep-set frame. Why?- to prevent the photograph from touching the glass. Having the photograph in close contact with the glass prevents air from circulating in the frame- this can cause moisture to build on the photograph and cause severe damage.
Lastly, we advise that you do not expose the photograph to any form of sunlight; if you must, keep exposure to the barest minimum. UV radiation from the sun degrades ink and other chemicals in the paper, such as lignin.
Display case.
Using a display case is one of the best ways to display your treasured memorabilia. It is a box-shaped container typically made of sturdy acrylic or glass. A display case is the preferred option for pictures that are too large or complex to frame. They are also useful for other forms of treasured objects such as signed baseballs, footballs, jerseys, and musical instruments.
A display case prevents moisture from building up on the photograph and will protect the photograph from dust and damage-causing insects. The only downside to using display cases is that they are transparent, so you should mind where you place them. As always, minimize exposure to sunlight.
You are storing your photos if you don’t want to display them.
If you don’t have space for frames or display boxes and intend to store your photos without displaying them, you should invest in the following items.
Acrylic top loaders.
Acrylic top-loaders are versatile equipment that you can use to store signed photos, banknotes, postcards, trading cards, and other antiques. The size of photo acrylic top holders can accommodate range from 3 X 4 ” to 32 X 43 “. As expected, they protect photos from light, dust, and humidity.
Archival Photo box
Photo boxes are great for storing a large collection of photos. Only purchase high-quality, archival-grade photo boxes, as cheap ones may contain plastics that can damage your photos. Most boxes sport acid-free envelopes and compartments to store your photos. You should keep your Photobox in a cool, well-ventilated room to prevent damage from heat or humidity.
PVC-free plastic sleeves.
Plastic sleeves are perfect for storing your rare collection of photos. They are fantastic alternatives to acrylic top loaders. With wooden dowels, acid-free papers, and a little ingenuity, you can create a flipbook for your rare, authentic pictures. When going for plastic sheets, avoid PVC at all costs. Instead, go for sheets made with polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and cellophane. Remember to keep your memorabilia away from heat, children, and pets.
Final thoughts.
Storing your treasured memorabilia requires taking special care in handling them. Natural oils and sweat from your skin can smudge and sully the photographs. Before you handle photographs of this quality and rarity, wash your handles thoroughly. Better still, use cotton gloves.
