This post is inspired by an interest in decent frames, but an inability (or unwillingness) to pay retail frame prices. (And wholesale is getting pricey, too.)
It's getting to be garage sale season around here, and with the thrift movement in full swing, I'm curious as to whether any budget-minded collectors have ever looked for used or vintage frames to fit their posters, particularly in odd sizes. It can be easy to find small standard sizes like 8x10 or 11x14 inch, but what about something that would be a closer fit for your foreign lobbies, or all those foreign-size one-sheets?
There have been times that I've seen nice custom frames at garage sales for dirt cheap, but I didn't have a measuring tape to see how close the size would fit my needs. So I've started bringing a measuring tape to sales on the odd chance that I find a 22x33 inch frame. It can't be too expensive to add some acid-free backing.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any success stories about found or re-purposed frames.