Properly framed, but...

[jim_p]

So I was watching the news, and apparently some guy received a whole bunch of stolen goods from Fenway Park (a glove, cleats, duffle bags with uniforms, a base, a home plate, etc.). They showed the DA commenting on the case, with all the memorabilia spread out around them.

Among the items was a 380-foot marker from the outfield. Apparently it had been hacked out of the bullpen door. The guy then had the chutzpah to buttonhole none other than Johnny Pesky at home to have him autograph it. THEN, apparently, he had it framed. It was float-mounted on a black mat with a simple black frame.

My burning question, of course, is "who did the framing?"

The second question is, how closely should we as framers examine the provenance of an item brought to us for framing? If something comes in looking suspicious, should we try and determine whether the customer in fact legitimately owns the item, or should we just do "don't ask don't tell"?

 

[mbboston]

Jim,

We are not reselling things, just framing them. It is not up to us to question ownership.

 

[Framar]

I barely know what any of those things are in your list of stolen items. So if someone brings some sports thing in for framing, especially autographed, it matters not to me - and I do not know how a framer could be held liable for merely framing a thing.

Seems like the guy who signed the stolen item would be higher up the liable ladder than the poor framer.

IMHO.

 

[neilframer]

This is way beyond our responsibilities as framers. We are not pawn shops that are required to check serial numbers when they are buying goods.
We aren't buying anything, we are just hired to frame them.

 

[artfolio]

Amen to Neil's comment - we are framers not detectives.

However, if I know the item is stolen, ie I recognise it or know the rightful owner, then it is my duty to notify the Police and let them deal with it.

There was a case here in Western Australia not long ago where a cheapo store was selling bootleg copies of Phillip Doisneau prints which, then, were exclusively distributed by Geometrics. A framer notified the local agents of Geometrics who made a formal complaint and both the retailer and the printer copped hefty fines and had to destroy all their copies.

 

[Puppyraiser]

I knew a framer who framed all the prints that that guy had cut out of books in the Library of Congress. (Do you remember this case? Guy was really sneaky, and had done it over a number of years).

The police interviewed her to add to the evidence in the case, but she didn't get into any trouble.

 

[pwalters]

Look at it this way, while you did frame stolen pieces, if you do it correctly at least you are doing everything you can to preserve their integrity while they are in the posession of these dastardly villans.

Of course, I bet Baer will chime in that the real crime was the use of a "simple black frame".

 

[Bill Henry-]

A lot of sports and other memorabilia are sold at auction – often for charity. If some of those things that were swiped from Fenway came into our shop and I was unaware of the theft, I would not feel either ethically or morally responsible.

However, if the theft was on the news and I was aware of it, I would probably report it. To me that’s just common decency.

 

[Jim Miller]

It has been said that about 80% of celebrity autographs are forgeries, so it is likely that nearly all of us have framed some fakes that were sold/resold as authentic autographs.

Where does our responsbility start and stop? Good question. Personally, I would not get involved with the enforcement of laws - we have police departments for that purpose.

Likewise, I would not want to be snagged into complicity with any illegal activity. That is, I would frame just about anything, but would not promote it or otherwise get involved in the buying/selling of it.

 

[Paul Cascio]

I once bought a print signed by the seven original Mercury Astronauts (excpet for Gus Grissom who dies in the Apollo 1 fire. His wife signed in his stead.) After I got it, I thought maybe it was bogus so I called the FBI. They appreciated the call, checked into it and found out that it was legit and sold by a charity the astronauts had endorsed.

I still have it today.

 

[blackiris]

Of course, I bet Baer will chime in that the real crime was the use of a "simple black frame".

I agree..... that framer should be strung up for that one!!!

I always like seeing the sports stuff come in.... dirty .. with blood on it... sweaty ... whatever... I have no clue where it comes from.
But if its stolen...... do you think that customer would want to leave it in your possession for 2 weeks or whatever time it takes to frame it? THen... I might be a little concerned the FUZZ would come after me.......

 

[simplymatted]

Or one could use the " Golden Rule " if in doubt, have the customer pay cash.

 

[janetj1968]

Unless I specifically heard that a very particular, very easy to identify item had been stolen... the thought wouldn't enter my mind to research it.

If, however, a local artist complained that a lot of limited editions with a range disappeared....YES I would involve someone else.

But normally...not.

As far as black frames with black mats...you can buy readymades at M's and many other outlets. The thief could've done it himself.

 

[icon73]

A case in Australia a few years ago, a very well known motor sport driver was killed in a road race. A member of the public had "taken" a piece of the damaged car as a souvenir and proceded to take it to a local framer. The framer questioned where it was from, as they felt suspicous of its ownership. The police got involved and the person in question was charged. The overall outcome I am not sure of.
Morally and ethically, if I think an items is stolen then I will inform the authorities.