Dustcovers bad?

  • Thread starter Thread starter framechick
  • Start date Start date
Create a Post
F

framechick

Guest
A new client who has an impressive collection of rare autographs brought several to be reframed. When she came to pick them up she was appalled to find dustcovers. She said her conservator had told her not to have them on her frames, that they can trap insects inside.

Update added 11/24: The conservator we reccomend and use ourselves said he'd never heard any reason not to seal a frame. I called the client, who in the meantime had been back in touch with her conservator. It turns out we didn't have the full story. What he had told her was not to use a brown paper backing, but instead an acid free material similar in weight to oak tag, and that it ought to be stapled on rather than glued. I didn't ask if we needed to use stainless steel staples.

The bad news is that many of these items were mounted by the previous framer (well over 30 years ago) to non-conservation boards.


[This message has been edited by framechick (edited 11-24-1999).]
 
We had a client who was told by a conservator to screw regular foam board tight to the back of the stretcher bars of an old canvas with gromets. We questioned the client thinking that he may have misunderstood the conservators directions. Since this was contrary to what we had learned, we told the client that we would call the conservator to verify the two different opinions. The conservator explained to us that the oil painting was old and had received all the benefits that a hole in the back of the backing would allow. Furthermore, he wanted to prevent damage from a blow so he wanted a drum effect to cushion any blows the canvas might encounter. We learned from this encounter and the client was impressed that we took the time to call and check with this trusted professional before we undertook the project.

Since these professionals have four year degrees in their chosen fields we always defer to their directions...

I would call the conservator and verify your clients comments. There might be some extenuating circumstances or the client may have misunderstood. Since this is a professional the client trusts if you don't call and confirm these directions you may be left in a lose-lose situation.

Sincerely, AL

[This message has been edited by ArtLady (edited 11-22-1999).]
 
I'm looking forward to more disscusion on this issue. Do we use dust covers as protection for the item being framed or is it just a way to finish a frame to look good? What if the customer had chosen a metal frame where dust covers are seldom used at all. If a dust cover can seal in bugs can it not seal out bugs assuming there are no bugs inside at the time of framing? And of course dust covers often end up torn over the years and neither keep out bugs or look good. I think if I had a collection of valuable autographs I would expect the conservator to protect them from bugs prior to framing by something like encapsulation.
Scarfinger
 
Oh and by the way...the concern the client's conservator has is not bugs, it's moisture being trapped withing the framing package.I think that's the reason for stapled, not glued.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top