OT - What is it about framing?

[AustinMike]

This may be a stupid question, but here goes. Is there any way to tell whether the glass, matting, etc. in a framed item is archival quality? Could I or my local framing shop, after removing the backing, be able to tell if the glass is UV protected, the matting is acid free, etc.?

[BruceinGa]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

This may be a stupid question, but here goes. Is there any way to tell whether the glass, matting, etc. in a framed item is archival quality? Could I or my local framing shop, after removing the backing, be able to tell if the glass is UV protected, the matting is acid free, etc.?

The reverse of the mat board may still have the type printed on it, rag mat etc. Other than that I don't know. I believe some frame shops may have a sticker or other indication on the back indicating archival quality.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by AustinMike

This may be a stupid question, but here goes. Is there any way to tell whether the glass, matting, etc. in a framed item is archival quality? Could I or my local framing shop, after removing the backing, be able to tell if the glass is UV protected, the matting is acid free, etc.?

Put it in direct sunlight for the summer. That'll give you your answer

[AustinMike]

Originally Posted by conor912

Put it in direct sunlight for the summer. That'll give you your answer

Yeah, that would do it.

[MartyFromCANADA]

Great stuff fellas. Here's what I have done.

T'sGraded.jpg

30-70Graded.jpg

[spaidly]

My thoughts on why some (many?) collectors, including me, are not fans of framing cards is it takes them out of circulation. Photos, I get, but cards were intended to be traded whether for money or other cards and for me there is a psychological thing where framing a card means it has met its final resting place. I think it is cool if that is the intent as the displays in this thread are amazing and collectors can and should do anything they want. I guess you could crack them out if need be when you know you framed them properly, which is why several people in this thread don't like buying pre-framed stuff as you can't be sure in those cases. The framed graded cards mitigate this yet put the cards in a "double jail", which seems weird and awesome to me at the same time.

For me, my entire collection must have the ability to be liquidated relatively quickly. I don't churn my collection a lot but I have this innate feeling that I need the ability to trade anything at anytime. When I was a kid and collected in the mid-seventies, cards were the equivelant of cash between me and my friends. Hope this makes sense.

Scott

[cguidi]

You can pop your graded cards in an out of these custom matted frames pretty easily!

[spaidly]

Originally Posted by cguidi

You can pop your graded cards in an out of these custom matted frames pretty easily!

Your timing is impeccable.