To unframe or not to unframe... that is the question.
Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 11:13 am
Let me first say that I do not frame my art and have no intention of starting in the future. However, some art that I purchase comes already framed. Now, there are certain cases where I immediately unframe the art (when it was framed by Hobby Lobby or something similar). However, I have acquired two pieces (from Batman TAS) that were originally framed by Warner Bros. and were hung in the WB animation art gallery. They come with certificates of authenticity and their ID numbers are also written on the back of the frame. They also have the original price stickers on the back with the WB logo, etc.
In the case of these two items, I'm very torn about removing them from the frames. On the one hand, they will never be hung up, it is likely that tape (probably archival tape... but still tape) was used when putting the art in the frame, and UV glass/plexi was not used. On the other hand, having them in the original frames from the WB gallery gives some additional provenance and it is obviously not a cheap frame job (one is two items in a double frame). I never intend on selling them, but I imagine the art would be more valuable in the frames... and you never know... life changes can happen.
Any thoughts?
In the case of these two items, I'm very torn about removing them from the frames. On the one hand, they will never be hung up, it is likely that tape (probably archival tape... but still tape) was used when putting the art in the frame, and UV glass/plexi was not used. On the other hand, having them in the original frames from the WB gallery gives some additional provenance and it is obviously not a cheap frame job (one is two items in a double frame). I never intend on selling them, but I imagine the art would be more valuable in the frames... and you never know... life changes can happen.
Any thoughts?