An Odd Question for Collectors...

Well, as MH has pointed out the cost of framing can far exceed the cost of the art itself. Whenever you do get out here for a visit to my place I can show you the very nice reproduction prints I have of artwork from the Civil War that ran around $20 to $30 and cost over $200 to get framed. Now, I do prefer actual professional framing over the premade frames you get at places like Sprawl-Mart but there is the price issue so I do occasionally get those type of frames. Plus, like Severian has said I think most people would prefer to look through a selection of frame types, matting, glass type. Shipping would be expensive too. The one benefit would be that I'm not certain I would want to take this type of art into a frame shop for them to frame so getting something framed at the source would relieve that issue. Overall though I think it probably wouldn't be worth it unless you wanted to do framing of stuff for yourself.

Doctor Dweeb

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I appreciate it.

For my part, no. I prefer to buy unframed art (which is easier to store) and only frame the pieces which I wish to hang. When I do decide to hang a piece, I'll take it to a favorite frame shop where I can make it clear to the framer exactly what I want. That having been said, I would be interested in knowing what equipment this acquaintance of yours is selling and for how much.

OrionPirate

I couldn't speak for others, but really nice frames often times end up being two to three times the cost of the media that's placed in them If it's a letter-sized frame the cheepos at Walmart or the like are better cost-wise. If you were to ship them commercially, the weight for those higher end frames would be cost prohibitive to ship. So in my estimation, not the greatest deal for shipped stuff, but maybe if taken to trade shows or the like.

MH

Not for me personally, nor in my observation experience for most people. I think most of us keep artwork stored and do our own framing and changing out of frames as whim calls on us.

Molly Whipple

Not for me personally, mainly because for years I have been framing my own work, and tend to just frame pieces in my collection myself when the need arises, which is very rare. So in that regard my opinion may not be indicative of others out there. Most of my collection (as well as my own work) is stored in acid free portfolios that I can easily pull out and go through when I want to look at the pieces. It's tough to say if offering framing as an option would warrant picking up the extra equipment. You could use UV filtering plexiglass (questionable in my experience) instead of glass, which would make shipping easier, at least. I suspect too that some people would want to do it themselves or have a shop do it where they live so they can choose the frame, matting, etc. themselves. Anyway, what do all my fellow patrons think...let's give Andy some opinions!