New December 2010

Picture Frames The Picture Frame Collection is a group of pieces from my collection that excell in rarity and design. These are, for the most part, not the gilded frames that surround paintings in museums. These are the frames that were made by talented framemakers from the early 1800s to the Art Deco 1930s. I began to collect old frames years ago when I wanted to display pieces in my collection. I did not want to buy new frames that had no historical connection with the pieces being framed. In my research, I found very few books that illustrated wood frames that were painted to resemble expensive woods, others that used oak and walnut, and some with gesso designs. I wrote my book to show hundreds of great American (and a few European) frames. Collecting Photo and Picture Frames, covers all styles of Picture frames such as Eastlake, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Folk Art, Tramp Art, Rustic Style, and all types of wood and painted finishes from the period 1800 to about 1940. It also covers Table Top frames from 1840 to about 1950. The book contains over 650 color photos. Includes a valuation guide. Hardcover large format, regular price $39.95, my price $35.00 (autographed, if you wish) plus shipping (In the US, $3.00 book rate, Canada Airmail is $9.95, Europe Airmail is $19.10, Asia & Australia Airmail is $22.30. It can be sent overseas (to most countries) by speedy Global Priority in a soft mailer for $13.50), 9 by 11 1/4 inches. You can pay by Paypal. My Paypal name is "stuarts1031@ erols.com" Select Frames For Sale section

If you collect any type of art and display that art, it will look better if you use a period frame. Years ago, frames could be found in the back of antique shops and they were priced very inexpensively. For the most part, that time has passed and a dedicated corps of antique dealers has recognized the value of early frames and prices them accordingly. Some of these frames are beautiful examples of folk art, while others can be dated to a particular style (ie. Eastlake, Art Deco, Faux Bois, etc.), while others were only made for, at best, 5 years (Ripple-style frames). Hopefully, you will now go out and try to find some great frames. A collection of beautiful empty frames on a wall is always a conversation starter.

An 1820s simple wood frame made by a talented furniture maker. American frames of this age are nearly impossible to find. 11 1/8 x 22 1/4" outside dimension.

An 1830s walnut and brass frame from France. It is 6 x 6" od. I was lucky to find a pair of these.	A rare pair of gold-wash thin brass over wood frames with period silhouettes from 1835. 4 1/4 x 5 1/45" od.

A very simple painted, grooved wood frame from the 1830s. 7 1/8 x 8 5/8" od.	A birdseye maple veneer frame from the 1830s. It is 10 1/2 x 14" od.

A rare and large birdseye maple veneer frame from the 1830s. It is 20 1/8 x 22 1/8" od.	A small birdseye maple veneer frame from the 1830s or earlier. This is probably an English frame. It is 7 3/4 x 9 1/4" od.

A pair of rare overlapping corner construction mahogany veneer frames that date to 1829-1835. It has wood blocks in each corner. 6 1/2 x 8 1/2" od.	There are more modern versions of this style of frame. Checking the back of the piece will tell you if it is old or new. 13 1/2 x 16 1/2" od.

These "Ripple" frames are among my favorites. They were only made for a few years and are very difficult to find. Rippled, faux bois (false wood finish), gesso covered frame from the 1830s. 16 x 19 1/2" od.	Rippled, faux bois, gesso covered frame from the 1830s. 11 x 15 1/8" od.

Heavy, rippled faux bois gesso covered frame from the 1830s. 16 3/4 x 21 3/4" od.	Another heavy, rippled faux bois gesso covered frame from the 1830s. 16 3/4 x 22 1/4" od.

A mahogany veneer frame with a double beaded edge from the 1830s-1840s. 7 1/2 x 8 3/4" od.	A mahogany veneer frame with a double beaded edge from the 1830s-1840s. 15 3/8 x 19 1/4" od

A superb faux bois frame from the 1840s. 10 1/4 x 13 3/4" od.	Another superb faux bois frame from the 1840s. 13 1/2 x 17 1/2" od.

A simple red-painted frame from the 1840s-1850. 12 1/2 x 16 3/8" od.	A beautifully grained faux bois frame from the 1840s. 12 1/2 x 16 3/8" od.

A simple mahogany veneer frame from the 1840s. 15 1/4 x 18 3/4" od.	A higher quality mahogany veneer frame from the 1840s. 15 1/8 x 19 3/4" od.