OT - What is it about framing?

[conor912]

I have a couple nice pieces I've been meaning to get framed forever. I finally got around to taking them in today and on the way I was laughing to myself that I'm probably killing the value of them. Anyone else notice how some (seems like the majority of) collectors tend to shy away from framed pieces? It's like they prefer to have them in crappy oversized top loaders with sticker residue on them, as if being in a top loader makes it a collectible but being professionally matted and framed makes it tainted somehow. Anyway, that's my deep thought by Jack Handy. Carry on.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I framed a Joe DiMaggio Wheaties box that was in really nice shape. Not that it was worth that much to begin with, but I am sure it's practically worthless now. But it looks good on my wall.

[rainier2004]

I love framing stuff...

[brob28]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

I love framing stuff...

Steven, that room looks incredible very well done!! Just curious how you have organized the CJ's that are framed or if its random?

[steve B]

Not a great picture, but here's some cycling stuff I framed. Poster, snapshot, racing license and some medals from Julio Capdepont, Uruguayan national champ at inseperable teams back in the 20's.

The frame is a kit where you buy the sides individually, so you can make a lot of different sizes. I think the sides range from 4 inches to 24+ in 2 inch steps.
Bought the UV glass at a local framing shop that's not there anymore.
Cut the mats myself, 3-4 layers, to leave room for the medals.

I might not have framed the stuff, but felt bad that all that stuff including the national championship medal only went for a bit less than dinner at a decent chain restaurant. I figured even long gone he deserved a bit better than the stuff representing his career being stuck in holders in a box on another continent.

Steve B

[steve B]

Should have added that the green that matches the paper the poster is on was an obvious choice as it's the color used for most of the Bianchi pro bikes, and Bianchi was his sponsor. Sort of like Ferraris being red.

Steve B

[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)