One way to distinguish if a person is a football fan or not is through the collection he owns. Most football fans are avid collectors of football items such as NFL memorabilia. But do you know that having a football collection can be a lot of work? It is not just about buying NFL merchandise and keeping them in your home.

When collecting football items especially those that increase value over time such as football cards and NFL mini helmets, absolute care in handling and maintenance is necessary. The quality and good condition of football collectibles should be retained even after so many years.

If you are thinking of starting your own football collection, one of the first things you obviously have to know about is how to take precious care of these items. To help you, here are some tips and suggestions in preserving football memorabilia.

· Keep in appropriate storage areas.

If you intend to sell your collection in the future, it would be a great idea to keep the items in their original packages so they retain their value. However, if you decide you want to display your collection, you would need to buy appropriate storage for these.

For example, for your football jerseys, especially those that have autographs from famous football players, one of your best options is to frame them using an acid free material and then you can mount them in a high quality display case that has protection against UV or fading. This way, you can get to display your collection while ensuring that their top condition is preserved.

Signed posters and photos of your favorite players also have a tendency to fade so it would be good to display them in a display case that also has UV protection. As for football trading cards, you can store them in soft protective sleeves or plastic pages, and then insert them gently one by one into a football card album. This ensures double protection for your football card collection.

NFL helmets, which are also a very popular collectible item, should also be stored in a high quality display case to protect them against dust and fading. Again, it is better to choose one that has UV protective shield for optimal protection.

Memorabilia such as ticket stubs, photos, documents, or papers with autographs should be placed in a sealable plastic bag, acid-free archival box, or an album. Avoid exposing any type of collectible to harmful elements such as heat and moisture because these have negative effects of the quality of the items.

Store them in an area that has a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees and not falling below 50 degrees. Also, keep them out of reach of pets and children because they might damage your valuable collection.

· Know proper cleaning methods

Different collector’s items have different cleaning requirements. For example, collectible football glasses should never be washed in dishwashers because the glass will crack. It would be better to simply wipe them with a damp cloth and to dry them afterwards before storing. For more complex items, it would be good to enlist the help of a professional cleaner.

· Handle collectibles with utmost care

When it comes to handling your collection, you should only touch them when necessary such as when you need to clean them or transport them to a different place. Otherwise, avoid excessive handling as this can deteriorate the quality of the collectible.

For some items like commemorative coins or photographs, it would be best to wear hand gloves before touching them. This will ensure that the oils from your hands will not get into the surface of the item. If you do not have any gloves, you can still touch the collection but do not remove them from their plastic sleeves or cases.

· Inspect regularly for any signs of damage or deterioration

If you see any damage such as cracks, scratches, marks, or dents, bring immediately to a professional for treatment and restoration. The more immediate the item is treated, the easier it will get back to its original state.

Taking care of your precious football memorabilia is part of your responsibility as a collector. Make sure you do everything you can to preserve your collection’s top quality.

Keywords: nfl memorabilia, nfl helmets, nfl mini helmets

Summary: Preserve your football memorabilia collection by storing them in appropriate storage areas, cleaning properly, and inspecting regularly for any signs of damage.