Valuable framing projects

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MJ The Romaboy

MJ The Romaboy

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Posts
235
Loc
Antelope, CA
I saw 3 of the most valuable pieces I could imagine in my customer's shop today. They were 1ea original Matisse, Degas and Picasso. His customer sent them in a box via FedEx to him and he'll frame & ship 'em back to the East Coast. I asked what kind of insurance he carried in his store and he said "Don't tell anyone they're here". The whole experience made my day. I could have stood there for an hour looking at the work. This was easily the most culturally enriching day at work for me in weeks, maybe longer. How do the rest of you deal with really valuable artwork?
 
I'd be covered for that - and if I thought I was not a phone call would sort it.

Had/get valuable stuff - but not names like that - although I know exactly what you mean about standing there gawping at the work - went to a Turner (JMW - no relation) exhibition recently and one of his paintings - not one of his best/most famous - just rooted me to the spot - Chichester Canal - just down the road from here - I could have pulled up a sofa and gawped all day - it just had this presence.

As for how to deal with such stuff - forget the insurance - the answer is 'QUICKLY!'
 
My Picasso, Miro, Chegal, Degas, Rios, Otsuka and Henry are hung at my best friends house. She has the decor for it, as well as the $5mill umbrella policy.....
Although, the fires in South Orange county were only about 3 blocks away when they had to evacuate.... so it may all be moot now.

At the shop? Don't ask, don't tell. Usually we take measurements, and full deposit... then send the art work home until it's time to fit. Then we ask that it be dropped off in the morning and picked up that afternoon.... or we will deliver.
 
If I have any one work in the shop with an estimated value of over $ 10,000 I notify my insurance company and let them know the estimated time it will be in my possession. They make a note of it on my file and let me know I may get a small bill for a temporary rider specifically covering that piece.

In reality I can't recall ever getting any additional billing.

Usually if I have something of great value I try to finish it as soon as possible and get it back into the hands of my client.
 
"what kind of insurance he carried in his store and he said "Don't tell anyone they're here"

THAT is the perfect recipe for disaster !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
My answer is the same as Dave's. Haven't had to make that call too often here in my shop.

I did just put the wire on a small signed Picasso drawing (3" x 5" small) which I enjoyed.
 
I too was told by my insurance company to contact them if/when I were to take in artwork over 5k. I haven't had to call them yet.

Carry on.
 
this is where it pays to deal with a friendly local insurance agent..we have about an average of 7 or 8 pieces over $5K in the shop...one is $22K..all are losted on a rider and as they come and go we call our agent who updates the rider
We also use this agent for our home insurance and we have 6 originals over $5K in our home that are on a rider also, along with so heirloom jewelry etc . If you do not cover this stuff you are asking for major financial and legal losses..the unexpected will happen
 
where is this shop located? "bubba" and a couple of his friends are on the way!
 
Beyond minimizing risk by minimizing the time during which the valuable items are in the shop,
never forget that high value items should get high value frames, to justify the risk that handling the entails.




Hugh
 
Thanks for the kick in the pants. I just made a call to my insurance agent for "that rider". Been meaning to get a Round Tuit.

This thread helped me get the Round Tuit. I'll sleep better tonight.

Thanks, MJ.

Last year I got to frame a painting that was reputed to be a painting done by a student of Rembrandt's. I was a nervous wreck with it here, even with a rider! But what an honor to frame it!
 
preservator said:
...
never forget that high value items should get high value frames, to justify the risk that handling the entails.

Hugh
Click to expand...

Like the Blow Up frames, right Hugh?

:p
 
When my previous shop was doing some framing maintenance work for the Gettys, at one point I was driving from their place to the shop with 2 paintings in the back of a mini-van. One was an original Cezanne and the other was an original Renoir. Talk about white knuckle driving.

I know the awe that you speak of though. At one point in that job I said to my co-worker while we were working inside the Gettys house "I'm going to put the Monet over there on the couch." I kinda caught myself when I said that, realising the truly unique situation I was in. Raise your hand if you've framed a Monet. I've got a picture somewhere where I'm holding a Renoir in one hand and a Picasso in another. Try as I might I can't find the photo though.
 
I like the advice upthread about taking the work in long enough to get measurements, then having the customer take it back until you need it. Sure, I'd love to have a museum-quality piece in the back of my shop to look at, but who needs the worries?
 
I got to frame a Monet once, years ago. Tiny little thing. Purchased by the Town Curmudgeon that everyone thought was a near-homeless guy. He bought it in Europe and brought it home in his suitcase!! (Little did they know, he probably had more $$ than the entire town together!)

I will never forget the experience of handling that little Monet painting. It had an energy to it that is indescribeable.

Whoa, I'm getting goose bumps.
 
Brian..K, that brings up a good point..if you are picking up or delivering and hanging a valuable piece be sure your insurance covers it enroute and your handling etc.
 
Perhaps someone who is better versed in the legalities of insurance can answer this for me:

If you did have a very valuable piece of artwork in your store, and there were a disaster, would the insurance company have the right to refuse your claim on it if you had not gotten a rider? If not it seems rather risky to simply hope that nothing happens.
 
Framer Dave..your polcy has limits spelled out, and if you did not specifically cover high dollar art, they would probably not cover it...hence the purpose of "riders"

Same thing on your homeowners, you must put explicit riders on high dollar art, jewelry, collectibles, etc over and above your basic coverage...or chanches are it won't be covered.
 
I had a customer bring in a Picasso drawing that was in pretty rough shape. It had been her father in law's. He had received it from a Captain of Industry. I suggested our paper conservator and hand delivered it to her. She took one look at it and pronounced it a photocopy! OMG! I called the customer with the 'news'. Oh, she said. The Captain of Industry was the guy that owned Xerox and he handed them out to show how superior his machines were.
 
MnSue said:
where is this shop located? "bubba" and a couple of his friends are on the way!
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I swore secrecy. The owner said he didn't know how much the Picasso was worth..... "could be $20,000, might be $2mil, I don't know" so, being the nice guy that I am, I offered to take it to my "appraisor friend". Surprisingly, that didn't go over very well.
 
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