AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

The prevalence of textile-based baseball memorabilia in need of conservation, particularly game-worn jerseys, has increased significantly over the past several years. Institutions, auction houses, and private collectors are all players in this game, and each client has a different goal in mind when approaching treatment. While many textile conservators have experience treating these types of objects, no overarching documentation regarding the expanding market and relative concerns currently exists. Like the many facets of the fine arts market, the sports memorabilia community relies on its own authentication system and professionals. As conservators, bound by a code of ethics unfamiliar and occasionally contrary to the desires of clients, examination and treatment of such pieces can present a variety of issues. Often, the term restoration is a more accurate description for the expected outcome of treatment, particularly for those collectors who are unfamiliar with the conservation field. This paper addresses the issues surrounding the connoisseurship, flourishing memorabilia market, and evolving practices used in treating textile-based baseball collectibles. In depth case studies of treatments will also be presented.