Family Heirlooms

For many of us, some of our most treasured family heirlooms are old photographs and other paper-bourne artifacts. Sadly, many of them won't make it to the next generation unless steps are taken now to preserve them - light, humidity, temperature, insects, mold, pollutants, all take their toll, oftentimes quicker than you would think. The proper framing can dramatically slow or halt that destruction by controlling the items immediate environment through proper use of glazing, materials, and techniques. The pieces in this collection are all items of great sentimental value to the owners, that have been framed to enhance, enjoy, and preserve the item.

Two Sided Stock Certificate

A client brought me this antique stock certificate that had been passed down for three generations with a specific request: he wanted to hang it on the wall but also be able to take it down and see the reverse side of the certificate. So I made a very shallow sink-type mat, with front and back paper mats, that held the certificate edges without any adhesives (some adhesives can be very bad for paper art). Then cut two frames, two pieces of UV-blocking glazing, and sandwiched the mat package between them. Voila! A frame that protects the fragile vellum while also allowing the client to enjoy a bit of family history, from any angle.

Vintage Russian Tea Room Menu Cabinet Frame

This client wanted to preserve a c. 1962 laminated menu from the Russian Tea Room in New York City that was very special to her. She wanted to be able to take the menu out to look at occasionally, but didn't want the frame to be obviously openable, and did want to be able put it back in place easily. My solution was a custom fabricated acrylic "L" shaped stand mounted within the frame, cut to the exact size of the menu so it was easy to replace it in the frame. There are also two invisible straps holding the menu in place. There is also abeautiful soft yellow antique satin mat under the stand as well as above it. Then finished with a narrow gold fillet and a red lacquer moulding. I made a backframe from the same materials and sealed the whole package. The front frame is joined to the back frame using invisible barrel hinges and powerful neodymium magnets hidden inside the back edge of the frame. All her needs met as well as the need to preserve the menu!