Sport Memorabilia is big business nowadays. There are millions of people who make their living buying and selling items such as baseball cards, game-worn jerseys, bats, hockey sticks, autographed baseballs, hats, and so on. There are both collectibles made by companies and then items used in the actual event called Game-Used Memorabilia. If it has to do with sports, someone is probably collecting it and trying to make money off of it. Some people do this on the internet by setting up their own web page, posting items for bidding on eBay, or posting advertisements on sites such as Craigslist in the hopes of shipping their memorabilia to customers all over the world. Some have simply opened up store front shops where customers can walk in, look at, and bid on or outright purchase some sport memorabilia.
The sport memorabilia industry as a whole is a debated one. It has lead to many hateful and corrupted collectors who have lost the spirit of sportsmanship and what collecting is really about. Many professional collectors will use children at games to try and sucker the players into signing as many bats or balls as possible, the old sympathy card method. It is pathetic, but a player now knows if a 45 year old man wants three bats and two balls signed, he is probably trying to make money and that is not what it is all about. People will wait as long as hours after games to get a glance at a player and maybe an autograph just to turn around the next day and flip it on the open market to make a quick buck.
The MLB is trying to authenticate things like a game worn jersey and other items as to stop all the fakes that are being produced. The same is true for autographs, many are fake, and regulating them is tough but they are currently finding new ways to make autographs official. It is business practices like this that has made it hard for kids to collect like they used to and just for the enjoyment of the sport. Now it has become corrupted, as most things, by the pursuit of money.
Riding motorcycles has always been synonymous with wearing leather. Your motorcycle jacket and all of your accessories, including chaps, boots, gloves, and saddlebags are likely made of leather. In addition to style, leather is the best protective material that bikers can wear in the event of a crash. Because leather is a big part of your motorcycle accessories, you should give it the same amount of attention and care that you give your motorcycle. Leather can have a long life if you properly maintain your leather goods. Fortunately, caring for leather products is not difficult. When you subject your leather jacket and chaps to high winds and other climate-related elements, it can start to irreparably fade and crack unless you regularly clean and treat these items. With proper cleaning and maintenance, your leather can last indefinitely.
You generally clean your leather products by hand so use cleaners that are designed specifically for motorcycle leather. Avoid detergents, bleaches, or regular soap. These cleaning substances can strip your leather of the natural oils that are necessary for maintaining its shine. You should also refrain from using saddle soaps on your motorcycle gear. These soaps are more commonly used for tanning leather not cleaning it. These soaps also eventually weaken the seam stitches.
When cleaning your leather, start by vacuuming or blowing all the loose dirt and debris from the surface. This prevents scratches caused by coarse particles rubbing on the material when you wipe it with a cloth. For general cleaning use a damp cloth to wipe down the entire surface of your motorcycle apparel then let the material air dry. Do not try to accelerate the drying process by using hair dryers or heaters. This can cause the material to dry too fast and crack. If you have a spot that will not come out with a damp cloth, apply a leather-specific soap directly on the spot and again let it air dry.
If your leather starts to dry out despite regular cleaning, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the entire surface of the item and let it completely dry before using it again. Your motorcycle apparel is not naturally water resistant. If you think you will be wearing your leather accessories in a damp climate, you should waterproof your leather. When leather gets wet, it can dry out and crack. If you plan on storing your motorcycle leather gear for any length of time, wrap the items in fabric instead of nonporous plastic. You need to allow leather to breathe for it to retain its natural look and feel. If a piece of your leather motorcycle gear gets wrinkled, hang it up and let the wrinkles fall out naturally. Ironing or streaming leather can dry out the natural oil in the fabric.
