Frames: The frames are solid wood, hand-painted/antiqued in a rich color to match or compliment the stamp and/or the mat. The primary colors used are antiqued navy blue, burgundy and forest green. They are professionally finished on the back with heavy brown "craft" paper that keeps dust out. You can specify "sawtooth" or "eyelet and wire" hangers. The mat is held in place with professional frame "staples".

A larger frame than the 5 X 7 listed? I like the 5 x 7 and 5 x 5 frames because their size is in keeping with the miniature qualities of the stamps. I have several fine art prints of Linda Plotkin's which are about the same size of these stamps. Miniatures have been around in the art world for centuries. Plotkin's works are in the U. S. National collection. I like the small frames in a grouping of three or four.

However, the next size larger 8 x 10 inch frame will add $3.00 to the cost since the mat also has to increase in size. But the larger frame/mat does look nice if you've got the room. Of course the stamp does not get any bigger.

A wider/deeper and slightly heavier frame of the same size? This will add about $3.00 to the cost of the 8 x 10 to 11 x 14 inch frames. Plus $1.00 more in shipping. The 5 x 7 is quite nice as supplied but see below:

A "Fancy" varnished wood frame? Sure, but this will add at least $8.00 to the cost since I will not send out a junk frame and I have to make these from scratch or buy them on open market. Ask for availability and cost.

Glass: Frames come with normal glass. If you want a quality non-glare glass the cost will be, of course, more. There is some really bad non-glare glass out there. This will not be that. There is also some very, very expensive glass that protects the framed art from ultraviolet light. If the room you will hang the stamp in receives a large amount of sunlight or is very well lit with certain types of artificial light, you might want to consider this. Then, again, this glass is extremely expensive when you get up to the 8 x 10 and larger sizes. It would cost as much as the stamp/frame probably. Ask for availability and cost.

Mounting paper: The stamps are mounted on creme, acid-free, 80 lb. 400 Series Strathmore Drawing Medium (the stuff I couldn't afford in art school). In most cases there is a custom printed border that goes around the stamp. Some will even have a descriptive term, identification or some such thing if it adds to the overall look and feel of the piece. For instance, on one of the rallye stamps there will be the inscription : Ford Escort 1600. That is because the stamp does not identify the car make. Mounting varies between stamp hinges in some cases, acid-free clear plastic mounting corners and, show mount see-through sleeves with black backgrounds.

Shipping: Begins at $4.00 for Priority Mail for 5 x 7 frame or $6.00 for UPS. Includes insurance. UPS depends upon distance. Larger frames' cost increases $1.00 per size increase. Heavier frames a bit more. Shipped, generally, within 48 hours of receipt of payment.

Payment: Prefer Money Order or Cashier's Check in order to keep my costs down due to losses etc. Also, this assures buyer of rapid shipping and not having to wait for a personal check to clear the bank.

I wonder when or if I will ever see this set again.

Stamps: I have spent many hours at stamp stores, stamp shows, on the road and in correspondence with dealers across the country in order to bring you the best sports and race car stamps that are available from around the world. I am just getting started, so there should be an even greater variety to choose from in months to come.

It's not an easy task. For instance, most dealers do not sort their stamps by topic, thus one has to look through individual countries to find cars...cars that you or I would even be interested in. One needs to become familiar with catalog numbers etc.

Some stamps are the right subject but poor artwork. A stamp collector might want them but would you want to hang them on your wall? At the same time, one may find a really desirable car but it is included in a set that contains nothing else of interest and the dealer will only sell the set as a complete set...often times a bit pricey just because there are several stamps and they are mint and, thus, still actually worth real money. Question is: can I sell this one stamp at a price that lets me "throw away" all the others?

To tell you the truth, there is a bit of luck involved. I may never be able to put my hands on a particular stamp that I once had and then let go. Then, again, I may find a dealer with four of them. If I really like a particular stamp I will not sell it until I find another.

I supply a service to those of you who do not have the time or inclination to go hunt down these stamps...even if you had the know how. Also, I offer these stamps already framed so you do not have to take the time and effort to go to a frame shop and pay big bucks to wait for them to eventually get around to your job. You buy it, receive it within days and hang it up then and there!

I am looking forward to providing you with some beautiful miniature automotive art.

Thank you for visiting our web site.

 Last updated: 3/8/99