help finding autographed photo

D_Derbonne

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Jul 12, 2001
Posts
5,409
Loc
Middleburg, FL
Business
semi retired
Help!
I had a customer come in this afternoon to frame something I've been storing for them.
When I pulled it out of the bin a corner was bent and creased.

It's a photo of the 1970 world series signed by Brooks Robinson.
THey bought it on a cruise ship.
In the corner it says Cooperstown Photofile. The other corner says Major League Baseball with a number.

I've searched online and found the image...poster not a photo and nothing signed.

If anyone can help point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

I apologized to my customer and offered to frame it for free and to replace it if possible.
The wife didn't seem to care one way or the other but the husband would like to have it replaced.
He was actually happy that I offered...said he thought he was going to have to fight about it.

I feel terrible. :(
 
Have you checked ebay
I found this one EBAY with just a quick look
 
Thanks, but I already checked Ebay.
The photograph is actually a composite...I think.
It has three players. Two of them are trying to catch the ball and one sliding into base.
As I said, I found a poster of the image it's called "Magic 1970" from Cooperstown photofile.
 
Deb,

I understand your pain, but things will happen no matter how careful you are. It always seems to occur when you do something as a favor or throw in some free service they didn't ask for and you are not being compensated for.

In this case, you were storing their photograph for them. You didn't say how long you had it, but if it was for longer than a month or two and I was your customer, I would have a hard time blaming you for the damage.

Your offer of replacement if at all possible and to frame it for no charge was the right choice in this case. Being forthright strengthens your credibility and helps you sleep better at night.

You could see if there is a definable $$ value on the photo and turn it in to your insurance it is extremely valuable, but I doubt it is worth the claim after your deductable.

Learn from your mistake by:

1.) Not storing artwork or other valuables for others for any extended length of time without getting a disclaimer. Your insurance company may require either a signed disclaimer being on file or a rider on your policy for works over a certain value. Guess what, you may have to pay a premium to be the nice lady you are in doing this favor. You can still keep an informal image by telling the customer your insurance company requires the disclaimer.

2.) Looking at the physical storage of the unfinished work in your shop and why this piece got damaged. Change whatever the problem was before something else happens.

3.) Forgiving yourself and realizing that you can't change what has already happened...only learn from it. Humans by their nature are prone to mistakes over time.

4.) Understanding that if you are in the business of framing for a long period of time accidents will happen. No matter how careful you are there will be another time someday when something is damaged or destroyed. Your handling of this situation makes it easier to do the right thing when something does happen and you already know that there is life afterward.

5.) Review your insurance policy to make sure of your coverage. Find out when your insurance company wants or needs to be notified of work in house that is valuable and at what value you need to call them. When you do call when that signed Chagall print or whatever comes in, they will want to know what it is, how long it will be in your shop and its value. I always try to get valuable work finished and turned around in 2-3 days whenever possible and my insurance company rarely makes me take a rider unless it is a piece worth over $ 50,000 and it is in-house longer than a week.

Dave Makielski
 
Thanks Dave.
I know these things happen sometimes but I still hate it when it does happen.
It isn't valuable enough to make an insurance claim but I think that I will be checking into what is required and my coverage. Thanks for that advice.


I also was thinking about storage policies and the disclaimer sounds like a good idea and I will be looking into that too. Either that or I won't be storing work for people.
I had thought it was a good way to assure their return but of course am stuck with things that I don't think will ever be framed or picked up.
Of course I now not to get rid of anything because that is when the person will come sailing through the door looking for it.

I've owned this business since 2001 and once in awhile someone shows up looking for something that's been there longer than I have.

The photo and prints were rolled when they brought them into the shop so I was flattening them.
Now I think it's time to rework that area.

Hmmm...maybe this has been a good thing. It will be motivation to organize better.
 
Find out from the customer which auction house was running the sale on board ship, or which cruise line it was. Last cruise I went on it was Park West Gallery, and they had some sports memorabilia in their offerings.
 
Also...if it is them, expect to get royaly screwed when they tell you the price. They do not give discounts to dealers either.
 
Another option might be to locate the image as an unsigned photo and then frame it with a signed baseball card or something else that he has signed. I have framed several autographed items this way. This may be a way to offer the customer an alternative if you can not locate another signed photo. Good Luck and thanks for sharing your story.
 
You weren't kidding about Park West and the royal screwing.
They want $40 more than the customer paid on the cruise ship...for shipping.
Give me a break! They roll it put in a tube and it's on the way.

Included in the price is an appraisal for insurance purposes. :rolleyes:
 
What they give you is not an appraisal although it might say so on top.

I no manner, shape, or form does their "document" conform to any acceptable standard of any appraisal organization in the preparation of an appraisal document or the quazi-government organization USPAP.
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Not an appraisal? Imagine that!

I think it's just another tool to make people feel that they are actually making an investment in whatever they are purchasing.

I'm trying to find another way to make my customer happy.
It would probably be easier to just buy another signed print and be done with it but I don't like the way this company sells it's product and don't want to give them my money.
 
to find the photo:

Go to a good quality local baseball shop. THey subscribe to a network / forum that Photofile offers all their products. They can order the photo for not much at all!!
If you have time, just write to Brook. He signs through the mail
 
Also, Brook robinson photos are plentiful.
For one you know is real stick with companies such as Upper Deck, PSA-DNA, SCD Authentic, etc.

http://www.brooksrobinson.com/
But look for autographs on ebay too! Just MAKE 100% SURE they are serialized / hologramed / stamped, etc by Upper Deck or PSA-DNA!!!
 
You made me think about Park West.
You made me think about all the people that come back from cruise ships with their "acquisitions" of expensive, valuable, totally legitimate artwork they got from Park West at such a deal.
I owe you! ;)

I think I may go walk through a Thomas Kinkade gallery now to bring my mind back up a notch.

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