Archival, or not?

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Elena

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jul 15, 2004
Posts
1
Loc
San Francisco Bay Area
Dear fellow framers,

At the Las Vegas show, Nielsen-Bainbridge showed us some new ready-made frame styles, complete with rag mats, UV glass, and rag backing. The one problem we noted--and mentioned to the reps--was that a wood fillet, left without a barrier against the artwork, is NOT considered archival. The frames are advertised as archival, and the packaging mentions archival. Despite our comments, we have just received word from Nielsen-Bainbridge that the product would be sold exactly as we saw it, despite our comments and concerns.

Can this product be sold as truly archival? Is this a misrepresentation of the truth?

We have made such strides in the past 5 years to educate our customers about archival products, and why people should choose them and pay for them. This seems a step in the wrong direction, and by one of the industry's trusted leaders. I do not want to support this "un-truth" by passing it off to an unassuming customer who trusts me with her art. It is not right.

Please let me know if I am wrong about the archival-qualities of fillets without barriers.
 
The obvious answer is, Absolutely not. Even if you backed the fillet I wouldn't call it archival. It does seem odd that they would go to all that trouble to make what they term an archival product just to have wood sitting on the art itself. Even if the wood fillet is properly sealed with a finish coat you still have the corner seems that can leach out acids.

I wouldn't buy it if you want to market them as archival.
 
We have the POS leaflets from Nielsen to dish out per frame, but we don't - it's misleading, or, should I say - not what I'd dish out if it were MY POS leaflet.

It shows an exploded diagram, 'clearcolour' UV glass, artcare mat + bevelled accent, artcare mount and artcare foamboard ....great!

But it's all in one of their metal frames - unsealed.

Did their ready mades actually have wooden fillets? You don't actually state that - there are non in my Nielsen catalogue - but this is UK, it'll be different.

Hey - WELCOME to The Grumble!!!
 
Just what would you seal wood with to keep it from affecting the art?

How would you know if it works? Do you do some artificial ageing tests?

Does anyone really know if gesso, varnish, acrylic paint, etc. seal wood against lignin migration?

If anyone out there has some answers, questions, or even thoughts on this subject I'd like to hear them.
 
From Hugh, the only thing that works is metal or glass. So the aluminum tape from Linco is helpful, but if it is to be a truely archival package it is not. It is not correct. It should also have a sealed rebate unless it is a metal frame. Then I think the package should be sealed.

Another knucklehead move...and many framers will buy it and say look at this. Make your own wall displays, so they are unique and you know what is in the package.


PL
 
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