Autographed Baseball Display Cases! UV Protection???

[camarokids]

Title says it all. I am looking on ebay and found a case that says UV protection.....

Do you think it really works?????



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=024

[camarokids]

The case maker says they offer 98% UV Protection, what about the 2%????

Kind of like Lysol says it kills 99.99% of germs on contact.

What about the 0.01% ? will it kill ya????

[GarkoCollector]

Keep it out of the sun and you will be fine. The UV that comes off of a lightbulb isnt going to hurt a ball. Direct sunlight will kill it though.

[David]

The UV protection wouldn't prevent damage but would slow it quite a bit. UV protecting glass is commonly used for paper items like antique movie posters and expensive paintings.

Even with the UV protection, it's still advisable to display item away from direct light-- as the above poster already noted.

In short, UV protecting glass would offer extra protection from damaging UV rays, whether the UV in light bulbs or sunlight.

It should be noted that glass naturally blocks some UV rays, but an extra coating is added to the UV protecting glass to block a fuller spectrum.

[David]

One other thing. I'm not entirely sure the whole way autographs baseballs tone and discolor (I've collected autographed baseballs myself). Sunlight and UV rays likely causes damage, including fading inc. However, as a ball is made out of leather, air, humidity, heat and even natural aging, may cause some of the damage to the ball. As some can likely attest, a ball can tone and spot if left in a box in the back a closet.

But, again, UV protecting glass would definitely be helpful in preserving items.

[costas]

what about acid? doesn't that also play a role in deteriorating items?

[David]

Acid is involved when one material is pressed against another. For example, people frame a print in an acid free matte. It's not an issue with the glass in this display, unless the glass is pressed directly up against your baseballs or photo. Also, I'm not sure that glass is acidic anyway (Don't quote me on that). Though it could be an issue with a ball holder. Some plastics are acific, but the most common offenders in the collecting world are paper, cardboard and wood.

[David]

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that most modern baseball holders, including cubes, are made out of acid free plastics. So acid probably isn't a worry for baseball collectors.

If there are acid free and UVA/UVB protecting holders, obviously that would be great. Maybe there are.

[David]

A very cursory google search showed that Pro Mold and Ultra-Pro says their plastic cube baseball holders are acid free.

[camarokids]

Thanks for all your input.....

I ordered the case. I will have it next Monday.....

I will post pics....