OT - What is it about framing?

[steve B]

I like framed stuff too. But seldom buy it. I do my own framing.

When I see something framed It always makes me wonder.

Was the framing done reversibly? Or did they glue the item to a backing board. (I have a couple things that were done like that, nothing expensive but it sort of bugs me.)

What are they hiding with the framing? Is that program missing a page or two, or the back cover. Does the nice looking card have back damage?
Most pro framing jobs are sealed with tape, and convincing a seller to cut or remove the tape to be sure the item isn't damaged is harder than it sounds.

Of course if the framing is part of the item or is period or fairly old I can forgive a lot. I bought a big picture of a B-1 that was signed on the mat by some of the engineers I think to celebrate the first test flight or some similar event. But the framing was cheaply done, and water has stuck the photo to the glass. If I could find that photo I'd replace the damaged one with a copy, but until then I just leave it as-is.

Steve B

Framing is good, when using archival methods

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by steve B

I like framed stuff too. But seldom buy it. I do my own framing.

When I see something framed It always makes me wonder.

Was the framing done reversibly? Or did they glue the item to a backing board. (I have a couple things that were done like that, nothing expensive but it sort of bugs me.)

What are they hiding with the framing? Is that program missing a page or two, or the back cover. Does the nice looking card have back damage?
Most pro framing jobs are sealed with tape, and convincing a seller to cut or remove the tape to be sure the item isn't damaged is harder than it sounds.

Of course if the framing is part of the item or is period or fairly old I can forgive a lot. I bought a big picture of a B-1 that was signed on the mat by some of the engineers I think to celebrate the first test flight or some similar event. But the framing was cheaply done, and water has stuck the photo to the glass. If I could find that photo I'd replace the damaged one with a copy, but until then I just leave it as-is.

Steve B

I like framed items and have gotten several things framed. I've also bought about 3 framed items and thought it was nice to save the cost of getting them framed myself. After reading your post, I'm going to have to rethink my eagerness to buy items already framed. You raise some good points I hadn't thought of.

[swarmee]

Here's my thoughts: collectors are hunters, first and foremost. They want to be the one to make the find.
A recently framed item means that someone else made that find. That someone else saw the value in the item. That they probably got it for a song, and now they're going to sell it to you at *RETAIL*!!!

For many collectors, seeing something in a frame means we failed at finding it in the wild first.

[BruceinGa]

I took a class in framing about 15 years ago and do it as a hobby. I've framed a few Baseball Magazine's Player Posters and some copies of early team photos.
I don't have any high dollar items to be framed but still try to be conscious of any old items and frame them accordingly.

[HRBAKER]

I Love Framed Stuff
My walls are loaded (or were)

[BruceinGa]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

I Love Framed Stuff
My walls are loaded (or were)

Wow, fantastic!

[MVSNYC]

I really enjoy owning and displaying framed pieces, but it's very personal and specific to each piece, so I prefer to design it myself with the framer, versus buying things already framed. As others have eluded to, it's very important to use all archival materials (acid-free matting, UV glass, etc). I also prefer framing an item by itself, feels more museum-like. I see too many framed pieces that try to incorporate too many components, and they end up looking too cluttered, and cheap quite frankly...I like to keep it more minimal, feels more special in my opinion.

[1880nonsports]

for a company that included cards within it's product - and it managed to survive nearly 150 years..................
it's good enough for me. Yes - it's most often harder to sell something framed for the reasons stated above - and YES IT'S EXPENSIVE when done right - but it hasn't stopped me from doing so. I framed some albums - sample to make both points included. Makes it easier for me to appreciate the artistry and provides a bit controlled elegance.