Framing and matting

[Lordstan]

Newest addition

[mr2686]

Thought I'd post a couple of new ones. Remember, there's no right or wrong when it comes to colors of matting, but there is good and better. Sometimes it's just down right hard especially with Perez Steele cards or magazines because old magazines have faded colors and PS have some weird colors on some of them. Case in point, I've seen several Bancroft PS cards matted and most people use the weird blue that's in the background. Here's one I just did where I used more of a sandy skin tone with a color to match the hat brim and team letter for the inside mat. For the magazines, yellow always seems to go good with green and fortunately there was yellow lettering on the covers. Dark blue was used to match the Yankee hats and undershirt.

[Lordstan]

Mike,
I agree with you on the good and better comment.
I like the Bancroft very very much. I like what you did with the mags as well, though I might've gone a different direction. I prefer the off white colors to the starker yellow and I probably would've gone with a cream/ivory inner mat.

I just got and did this tonight. Even though I'm a Mets fan, I've always wanted a Pujols. Such a great player, and so far not implicated in any funny business, on or off the field.
I had the black fillet from another frame and I thought it would go well with the red inner mat for the Cards. If I had gray on hand, I think It would've looked nice, but the black worked pretty well I think.



best,
Mark

[mr2686]

Very nice Pujols, red and black always look cool in framing. Yeah, sometimes a direction on the matting depends on what else you have or are going to have with it. I've got two Duke Snider magazines that I recently matted using a white outer mat and a red inner mat to bring out the red in the covers. I normally would have (and I think it would have looked better) used a white or grey outer mat and a blue inner mat for those, but I have so much Dodger stuff close together with those same colors that I wanted something different.
That brings me to another point for those that are just starting to mat and get there stuff displayed. Always, and I know it's hard, try to plan waaaaaaay ahead on how things will be displayed and with what. Sometimes you kinda paint yourself in to a corner with the type of matting or framing you're using. I had some frames I wanted to use for awhile but they just wouldn't go with what else was on the wall. I eventually found a way to move what was already there in to another room and that opened up a bunch of possibilities.

[mcgwirecom]

Just finished this one. Found a sweet Bill Haley autograph so I matted it with a nice postcard photo from 1956 and an original Rock Around the Clock single. Just added a few decals since i felt it looked a bit bare.

[Lordstan]

Randal.

Great job. That looks fantastic.

2 questions.

How did you cut the mat for the record?
How did you affix the record?

Mark

[mcgwirecom]

LOL I figured someone would ask that.

They sell a mat cutter for circles. It does a good job but you have to cut from the front of the mat. So you should put something down so the mechanism doesn't leave rub marks on the mat as you turn the circle. You need to go around a few times. I found it online for around $50 I think. I lost the website, just search circle mat cutters.

I used some 3M command adhesive tabs for hanging stuff on the wall. You pull the bottom part and its supposed to release. Anyway its a double sided padded type of tab. I put it on the run-off part of the vinyl. I don't think it was bother the record but then again I don't really care. Supposed to be like a post it type thing for walls.

[mr2686]

Really nice Randall! Great color choices and layout. I've seen that 3M tape before but didn't think about using it. I might just have to rethink that!

[mcgwirecom]

Yeah I'd use either that or try and find that gummy stuff they attach credit cards to the paper with. Like a rubber cement.

[mcgwirecom]

I found the site where I bought the circle mat cutter, less than $50 which is cheap.

http://matsforframing.com/add-cutters.htm

[Lordstan]

My newest pickup in a trade from Gnaz.(Thanks Greg)
I always wanted one of these, but they always seemed to come up when I didn't have the money. Worked out a great trade for it.

Here is what it looked like when I got it.
Ty Cobb check




I don't care for the PS cards framed, so I removed the check and downloaded/printed a print of one of my favorite Kreindler's to go with it. Here is what it looks like after I reframed it.
The outer black mat and fillet came with the frame. I toyed with using a more simple large double mat, but I think the extra layers really make it pop more.

I think a bit more fitting for the "King of Swing"


Best,
Mark

[mr2686]

Very nice Mark. That's gonna look great in the cave. By the way, what's the date on the check?

[Lordstan]

Thanks Mike.
Date is Sept 14, 1948. $6K was a lot of money back then. I mean it still is, but was even more so, relatively speaking, at that time. I wonder if this was back taxes or just the amount due for that year.

[mr2686]

Put some b-day gift certificates to my local framer to good use this week. I have a wall in the closet area of my memorabilia room that is not easily seen unless you step in, turn around and look up. I wasn't going to put anything there but then decided to make it an area for autos I didn't want taking up valuable wall space in the main areas...of course, I chose HOF umpires and executives (I know, no respect). It will be a cool surprise for anyone taking the time to try and find them while checking out my room. Here's what I just got back along with my Robinson, Hodges, Alston and Reese which are going on my 55 Dodger wall.
Pictures used were either existing Perez Steele that I had on hand, or printed Perez photos and printed photographs that were high resolution scans found on the net. Pretty cheap way to go.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Lou Gehrig day Ticket matted with a print I made of a Kreindler Masterpiece.

Hey! I own that Kreindler masterpiece! Shouldn't you need my permission to reproduce it?
If so, I hereby give it.

Nice matting & framing job, too.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Hey! I own that Kreindler masterpiece! Shouldn't you need my permission to reproduce it?
If so, I hereby give it.

....

David

Copyright to a painting remains with the artist, unless the artist has sold the copyright along with the original work.

Max

[Lordstan]

David,
I'm glad you correctly identified the original as a "masterpiece". If you hadn't, I would've been forced to come to your home and remove it from your possession, for the crime of not being worthy.
As far as your permission, I guess I hadn't thought of that, but I'm glad you approve of the respect I gave it. Like all things Kreindler, It looks better in person.

Mike,
I really like the way you did them. I'm not really a big fan of framing the PS cards, but I do think they look nice in the size your using them.

I absolutely love the Hodges pic you chose. Very dramatic.

Keep up the good work.

[mr2686]

Thanks Mark. I've been trying to do a variety of stuff...signed magazines, photos, photos with autos and PS, but the PS's are mainly for 8x10 in areas where that's all that will fit (also some thin, long frames that only fit certain areas are getting the PS treatment as well.
I can get about 6 more things done tomorrow but that will probably be 5 more magazines and possibly one photo with 2 autographs. I found a great photo of Jimmie Foxx and Connie Mack that I want to have done and it will be a great chance to get two HOF autos up in one spot.

[mr2686]

No frames yet but just got these matted. Finally getting my Foxx, Mack and Paige up on the walls.

[Lordstan]

Wow, Mike.
I didn't see your last post before today.
Very nice job with this group. I really like the Foxx-Mack duo.
Mark

[Lordstan]

Ok here is my newest work.
I posted the check pick up in the auto section, but here is the completed framed piece.
Wags Check.jpg

Sorry about the Flash.

Wags.jpg

[CollectiblesNJ]

Just looking through this thread. Great work on the frames. I pay considerably more to have my stuff framed + matted regularly. This might inspire me to take a shot myself. Just curious when you make these displays are you sure to keep preservation in mind by keeping to ACID free matting products?

I cannot tell you how many matted items I find in lots that are browned behind the matting from age. Sad really.

[Lordstan]

All my mats are the highest quality archival cotton rag. I usually spend about $20 per sheet at Dick Blick Art Supply.
I don't use UV glass., because, in my mancave, I installed only LED bulbs in all the fixtures. I also only have one very small window. So, no UV from lights and very little UV from daylight.
I would encourage you to give it a shot. It's fun, creative, and can save you a boatload of money.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[CollectiblesNJ]

I see you definitely have all your bases covered. My latest acquisition was probably too big to have done myself. 38 x 30 but next time I pick up a collection of like 8 x 10s I just might try it. I am not very "handy" but doesn't seem like it would be too difficult at all.

[mr2686]

Mark, that Wagner looks awesome! Love that the blue inner mat really brings out the blue in the print.
Kevin, I agree with Mark. When it comes to matting, I have 3 words of advice...Archival, Archival, Archival. Acid-free everything should be used, from the matt itself to anything that is touching your memorabilia in any way.
LED lighting is also a must as well as UV glass when natural light is present.
I sure wish other people would post on this thread. I'd love to see what people have been doing and exchange ideas on what looks good.

[Lordstan]

Thanks Mike. I went with grey and blue for the inner mats to bring out the two dominant colors in the photo. It looks waaaaaaaaaay nicer in person. Maybe I'll let you visit, as long as you promise not to try and steal my Stengel signed Sport Mag.

[CollectiblesNJ]

This what I got done professionally my 38 x 22 in 40 x 25 frame. Cost $100 bucks and is very basic. If I was not selling it I would probably have gone a little higher end.

Could you have framed something like this yourself?

[Lordstan]

Kevin,
The only limiting step to square cut matting is size. The mat cutter I have will cut up to 40in mats. There are one available to the public that will do bigger, but they can cost significantly more. If you will be selling the items, it may be worth putting some of the profits into a bigger cutter.
I qualified "square cut" as may of the fancy cuts you see in framing require special tools, like those for round and oval openings.
Hope that helps.
Mark

[daves_resale_shop]

Got this 1874 Letterpress copy of a Cartwright letter back from my framer today...The letter had a weird cut which would make it difficult to matt out in its entirety... My framer had a few creative ideas (photo, rules & signature), which pleased me just the same!

[mr2686]

Great job David. That looks very very cool and I love the idea of adding the rules along with the photo and sig.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Thanks Mike. I went with grey and blue for the inner mats to bring out the two dominant colors in the photo. It looks waaaaaaaaaay nicer in person. Maybe I'll let you visit, as long as you promise not to try and steal my Stengel signed Sport Mag.

No promises Ya know, it's funny but I haven't even come close to finding another legit Stengal on a magazine. I think I'll have to wait until someone sells of their collection to find one.

[Lordstan]

I am sooo psyched to add this to the basement wall(once finally completed that is.)

I recently obtained an original movie poster along with signatures of the 3 stars of the movie Inherit the Wind. The 1960 version starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and Gene Kelly is my favorite movie of all time.
The poster is approx 14 x 18. The whole framed display is 20 x 24.

[Michael B]

Several people have mentioned how they suspend items behind mats. My main concern when doing anything like this is how to do it archivally. All of the mat boards and backing boards I use are archival and inert. I will also use archival photo mounts or polyester photo mounts, depending if selling or keeping. The polyester ones are safe, but archival better. One item that can be used for larger items is 'See-Thru Mounting Strips made by Lineco. These are designed to hold any size item and can be cut to size. The come in packages of 60 and each one is 4 inches long. The front is thick mylar of 1 1/4 inches. The back has an acid free strip with acid free adhesive. The back is 7/8 of an inch. 3/4" is visible on the front with a 1/8" deep space to slip the item behind the mylar. When you slip the item into the space there is a 1/2" strip of the mylar visible on the front. If your item has a large margin that you would mat out then this strip would be invisible. If the margins are much smaller then this would be visible, though you could trim the mylar from the top to reduce the overhang. You can also shorten them if you wish. Use three of these on an item, sides and bottom and it wouldn't move even if dropped. See my scans below. The line on the back scan shows the release strip covering the adhesive. If someone would like a sample drop me a pm and I can drop one in an envelope. No, I have no connection to the company or any economic incentive to promote them. I believe in helping people learn how to treat their items so they last.

[Rickyy]

Here's my latest. I framed my new old stock 55 Dodgers Schaefer Beer table sign...these are tough to find.



Ricky Y

[Lordstan]

Another movie poster for the HT. This one is a new reprint that I cut out spaces for the Cooper and Wright signatures.

[mr2686]

I like what you did there Mark. That's similar to what I would have like to have done, but lack of wall space had made me have to cut out certain projects. How's the cave coming along?

[Lordstan]

Mike,
The cave is almost there. The carpet went in this past weekend. Now we are completing some final trim work. Next is furniture for the theater section. I will be completing the wall hangings with the movie posters for the HT section as well as the sports stuff in the "cave" area shortly after that. It should be ready for public viewing in the next month or so, by the time everything is done.
Best,
Mark

[Lordstan]

Almost done with the Mancave and HT.
One last movie themed item. Another of my favorites.
Robin Hood with Flynn, Rathbone, and De Havilland

[HRBAKER]

Here's a shot of some of my framed stuff hanging on the wall.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Here's a shot of some of my framed stuff hanging on the wall.

Wow! Cool room, Jeff!

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Here's a shot of some of my framed stuff hanging on the wall.

Nicely Done.
Did you mat/frame them yourself?

[HRBAKER]

Some of them, not nearly all.
I have some with quirky openings (ex., home plate shaped) that I had a frame shop cut the mats.

[SikSyko]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Almost done with the Mancave and HT.
One last movie themed item. Another of my favorites.
Robin Hood with Flynn, Rathbone, and De Havilland

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Here's a shot of some of my framed stuff hanging on the wall.

Lordstan love your Robin Hood display and HRBAKER love your room.

[HRBAKER]

I have shown some of these before. Here is a Roger Maris cut (scorecard) that I framed with a "home plate" shaped opening along with a traditional 3 x 5:



Here are Eddie Collins and Frank Baker 3 x 5s framed with 8 x 10s and a Turkey Red (T3) card:



Here is a Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner check framed with a Conlon photograph of each:



A DiMaggio Brothers piece:



...and the Waner Brothers as well:



A Mel Ott GPC framed with the "home plate" shape:



A Sarazen Nelson Snead and Hogan Masters Champions piece:

[Teamgluck]

Wow thats some great stuff Jeff

[Lordstan]

A couple of my more recent framed items. Some I posted before. The last 2 are brand new....





I didn't use flash on the last 2, but I should have as it really makes the mat colors pop.

[Scott Garner]

I like this recent frame and matting job that I had done by a local framer celebrating Johnny Vander Meer's 2nd consecutive no-hitter in 1938

[Lordstan]

My Newest Framed item.
Got the check early this year, but just did the framing

[mr2686]

I love the way the Walter Johnson came out. That will look great on your wall.

[yankeesjetsfan]

I love these. Have been wanting to try and have a couple of 8x10's and other pictures and posters matted and framed. I know they are expensive to have done and that's why I had thought about doing it myself, but I am not very handy with my hands so I never bothered. I am jealous of those who can do it and do such a fabulous job at it too.

Mike