When you decide to preserve and frame your precious paper items, whether it is the newspaper announcement of your home team's win in a championship game, antique papers of family history, or rare historical manuscripts, it is important you treat them before framing them.  And, of course, make sure the framing components used are truly made of inert, archival material. Depending on the makeup of the paper you are framing or protecting, use the right solution ingredients to neutralize and preserve the paper, vellum or other objects from the acids or decaying substances from eroding the docu ..read more

Being in the archival framing business for over 30 years, it was common for people to bring in their previously framed artwork and other personal effects whenever they noticed any deterioration with their artwork. This would include some showing signs of fading, discoloration or other related negative effects to their artwork.  We would remove the guts from the frame and examine the contents to see what materials and workmanship was employed.. When disassembled, it was usually noticed the glass or acrylic was NON UV filtering. That's right.  Regular cheap glass was used when conser ..read more

In the beginning of my framing career, I met an amazing dealer/collector of antique stocks and bonds. He was a full time and very successful stock broker when I met him in the late 1980s.  On weekends, he had a widely heard radio show on investing in the financial markets. It was through Rick Malone I met alot of other collectors and business contacts for building my conservation framing career.  Rick kept me so busy in my early years that I barely had time for personal enjoyment.  Of course, developing friendships with other collectors and traveling to antique stock bond show ..read more

Colonial paper money was issued by each of the 13 colonies when they were under the British monarchy.  Each colony was responsible for the use and redemption of it’s own currency.  Paper money was issued for the construction of roads, courthouses, etc.   Continental currency was used to finance military expenses of the American Revolution.  They were denominated in pounds, shillings, and pence. Virginia, for example also used dollars as a monetary unit.  These notes were printed on high quality durable rag paper, which is why they lasted all these years. The 13 ..read more

Of the many years we have been in this industry, we have never seen our share of jerseys damaged from improper handling and framing.  We have seen it all - tape, glue, cutting, slicing and trimming portions of the jersey and/or related artifacts to make the framer's job easier. Framing a jersey, a ball, puck, etc. involves know-how of the framing process.  Doing this correctly involves the expenditure of proper materials, labor to do the correct components in mounting and framing. If you are opening a sports bar and framing randomly unsigned and/or noncollectible jerseys, then mayb ..read more

  Over the years, we have had many collectors, dealers, museums and the general public bring us maps for framing.  Whether it was a 15th century map or a one from a recent atlas, people enjoy the depth of detail and beauty of maps. People also buy maps to show the places they have visited. It's for this reason, we are constantly framing maps and using preservation methods to ensure their longevity.  Ironically, maps of recent age are more likely to deteriorate than early maps.  The reason is that maps within the last 150 or so years are usually made with wood pulp paper le ..read more

  Few documents intrigue me as much as this one I framed for collector, Matthew Hagans, of Kentucky. Mr. Hagans comes across the most incredible documents and artifacts from famous people as Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.  And, not just routine letters, but also unique items such as the last telegram reporting the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Just this weekend he picked up a contract for the famous movie, True Grit, with the contract signed by John Wayne. But, this week, Mr. Hagans asked us to frame an unusual letter stating the compensatio ..read more

Of all the items sold through college bookstores, it is my belief that diploma frames are grossly overpriced.  Seriously!  When you see the quality of the frames, mats, glass and backs, it amazes me they get that kind of money.  The materials used are low quality, minimal grade and, given the amount of people who ask us to fix issues with the frames, it's not surprising. Over my 33 years in the framing business, many people have brought me their diploma frames to mount their diplomas or repair something that needs fixed.  This has allowed me to personally inspect these fra ..read more

As a collector and dealer of historical autographs for over 35 years, seeing autographs and historical documents damaged by improper framing is very upsetting.  Once an autograph is harmed and shows damage from a poor framing job, it's virtually impossible to restore it. Most seasoned collectors and dealers shy away from autographs when they are framed unless (1) they are allowed to inspect them out of the frame or, (2) are assured the autograph is not harmed in any way through negligent framing.  A high grade signed document, letter or photograph can lose a tremendous amount of val ..read more

Like any other business, it's always important to find a good framer who knows how to handle your artwork, properly frame it according to your desires and, most importantly, frames your artwork with the required materials and techniques to preserve it.  And, of course, at a fair price! Over the years, I have had numerous people contact me about finding a good frame shop when they are a distance from me and concerned about shipping the item(s).  I understand their concern, even though a good portion of my business involves people shipping to me as I am fully insured when they ship on ..read more