Preserving an Autogragh?

[fishing tech]

I have a hockey stick autographed by Gordie Howe. It is a new stick and he signed it with a pen on the tape on the balde of the stick. what if anything can I do to keep the signature and tape from fading?

[lakeshoremunster]

You can try and use some automotive clear coat on it to seal the ink in the tape,

I would give this a test try on something first to make sure the clear coat wont eat the ink, or maybe some clear poly wood sealer might work

[delmuts]

Check with a art supply store for a sealler that is used to protect paintings that are outside. As said though. Do a test on a similar surface first to be sure it doesn't ruin it.

[Northlander]

Maybe some clear shrink wrap?

[Gadgetman]

Look under picture framers in the phone book and find one near you, not a big box. They will have a good idea of how to handle it best. All the ideas mentioned before are a [PoorWordUsage] shoot and will probably only cause more damage in the long run

[fishing tech]

Thanks for the help.

[Surface Tension]

I don't think you want to coat it with anything.

Sunlight will fade the autograph, actually sunlight will fade the paint on the stick for that matter so keep it in a room without a lot of sunlight and always out of direct sunlight.

They do make cases with UV protective glass but I doubt for something like a hockey stick, still if you made a case it will at least keep the grime off that will accumulate over the years.

Room temps and humidity around 50%.

[Tom7227]

Since you seem to care about it in the long term the next issue is how do you prove that he really signed it. As they say on the Pawn shop show 'you got any paperwork on that?'

[JimBuck]

Assuming the hockey tape is white....cloth tape is not archival and will lose color and deteriorate over time. I'd suggest some type of clear epoxy or archival spray...framing folks should know more about it. Good luck!

[fishing tech]

He signed it before game 7 when Pitt beat Detroit for the cup. I want to keep it nice and protect it as my wife has put it in the garage several times saying no sticks in the house.