Continued from last Saturday..."Collecting Tips for Antique Prints"
from Nancy at Victorian Rose Prints
"Should I reframe my old print???" Good question! There are those folks who want everything historically intact, even if the frame is broken down and it’s falling apart. After all, that old frame has lived a long life of its own, and often the "customary wear" can be quite charming and introspective. Another school of thought is to reframe the print, conserving it. Either way, it’s personal preference.
Most of the old prints from the 1890’s were backed with wooden shingle boards. Over time, the wood resins leached into the print and caused blemishes, such as brown lines, and knothole burns. At the very least, replace the wooden shingle with a new, acid-free foam core backing. You’ll have peace of mind, and the foam core often flattens down the print so that the waviness disappears. If the frame is deteriorating, at least keep the old glass for your new frame. There is nothing like the old wavy, bubb
led, imperfect glass. It truly does dance when you walk by it, reminding you of the old days. If your print doesn’t have the old glass, and you’d prefer it, head on over to your local stained glass shop. Many of them now carry glass that truly mimics the old glass, and it’s quite a beautiful substitute. Flemish and seeded glasses are gorgeous!In closing, the old rose compositions certainly have that Victorian romantic attraction we all love, and retain their values exceedingly well. Antique rose prints never seem to lose their charm, and are a beautiful addition to the home decor. A good investment?...yes indeed!
Visit our antique prints at Ruby Lane: Victorian Rose Prints
And our Etsy site for affordable, reproduction rose prints!
