Also keep in mind that for some time Rawlings used an inferior grade leather for the balls and that has caused discoloration on them over time. If my memory serves me correct, I believe it was especially true on balls marked "Haiti".

As far as conserving signed balls, I am starting to put together a sports room, and the first thing (ok second) I bought for the room was a heavy duty window shade. It blocks out most of the light when I am not in there. And I bought a bunch of Steiner ball displays, the glass top type. So unless I am in my room, I keep it as dark as possible. I also got some disposable rubber gloves to handle the balls as I place them in the cases. This will keep my oil from getting on the ball. We all have oil on our hands, just a fact of life. The more you do to protect your signed items from this oil, the less the chance of an unsightly fingerprint appearing.