On another note... I can't imagine an autograph from someone who works for Microsoft or Bungie being valuable... but that's just me.
I do have an Autographed Tim Duncan picture, and obviously something like that would remain in my protection always. If it were an autographed ball signed by Tim Duncan, it would go in a basketball case and never be touched.
If it was THAT valuable to the kid/guy, maybe he should have followed the same logic.
-Oh well... his decision, his loss. Lesson learned I'm sure!