I learned this lesson the hard way. About three years ago, I proudly displayed my signed Michael Jordan jersey in what I thought was the perfect spot—right above my fireplace where everyone could see it. Six months later, I noticed the signature had started to fade. The colors weren't as vibrant. My $2,000 investment was deteriorating right before my eyes.
That painful experience taught me that displaying memorabilia isn't just about showing off your collection. It's about preservation. After talking with appraisers, collectors, and conservation experts, I discovered that most collectors make the same five mistakes I did. Here's what I wish I'd known from the start.
This is the number one killer of collectibles, and it's exactly what I did wrong. UV rays are incredibly destructive to fabrics, paper, and even plastics. They cause:
The Fix: Keep your memorabilia away from windows and direct sunlight. If you must display near natural light, use UV-protective glass or acrylic in your display case. Most professional-grade cases now come with UV protection built in, which blocks up to 99% of harmful rays.
I moved my Jordan jersey to an interior wall and invested in a proper display case with UV protection. The difference was immediate—no more worrying every time the sun hit that wall.
Here's something that makes professional collectors cringe: people pinning jerseys directly to walls or using regular tape on posters and photos. I've seen collectors use duct tape, scotch tape, even hot glue. These adhesives:
The Fix: Use archival-quality materials. For jerseys, get a proper jersey display case that holds the fabric without puncturing it. For paper items like tickets or photos, use acid-free backing boards and archival mounting corners.
Companies like Pennzoni Display specialize in museum-quality cases that hold items securely without any adhesives touching your memorabilia. It's worth the investment when you're protecting something valuable.
Your basement might seem like a great place for your collection—lots of space, out of the way. But basements are humidity nightmares. I stored some vintage baseball cards in mine for one summer. When I checked on them, several had started to curl and show signs of mildew.
What happens with poor climate control:
The Fix: Keep memorabilia in climate-controlled spaces. Ideal conditions are:
A small hygrometer costs about $15 and will tell you if your display area is safe. If you're in a humid climate, a dehumidifier might be necessary.
Every time you handle an autographed photo or vintage card with bare hands, you're transferring oils, dirt, and acids from your skin onto the item. Over years, this causes:
I watched a friend show off his signed Beatles album, touching the signatures while explaining how he got them. Those oils are eating away at Paul McCartney's signature right now.
The Fix: Always use clean, cotton gloves when handling valuable memorabilia. You can buy a box of archive-quality cotton gloves for under $10. Keep a pair near your collection and use them every single time.
When items are properly displayed in a sealed case, you won't need to handle them often anyway. That's another advantage of professional display solutions—they protect items from both environmental damage and handling wear.
When you love collecting, it's tempting to cram everything into one space. I've seen shadow boxes so packed with items that you can barely see individual pieces. This creates several problems:
The Fix: Give each important item room to breathe. Think of how museums display artifacts—there's intentional spacing that draws your eye to each piece. Quality over quantity makes a much bigger impact.
For jerseys, one per case is ideal. For smaller items like cards or pucks, group them thoughtfully with proper spacing. If you have a large collection, rotate what's on display seasonally rather than showing everything at once.
Here's what I've learned after making these mistakes: proper display isn't an expense, it's an investment. That Jordan jersey I almost ruined? After moving it to a proper UV-protected case away from sunlight, an appraiser told me it would have lost 60-70% of its value if I'd left it where it was for another year.
Whether you're displaying a $50 rookie card or a $5,000 signed guitar, these five mistakes will damage or destroy your investment. The good news? They're all completely avoidable with the right approach.
Take time to assess your current displays. Are any of your items in direct sunlight? Are you using proper materials? Is the environment controlled? Making these changes now will ensure your memorabilia looks as good in 20 years as it does today.
Your collection tells a story—about your passions, your experiences, the moments that mattered to you. It deserves to be displayed in a way that honors that story and preserves it for the future. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Learn from them instead.
