The most expensive part of sports collecting....

As a avid sports collector my collection has grown to a tremendous size. A big part of having a nice collection is the display of you're pieces. I have been looking for a company who does good work for a long time and I do believe I have found them. Now getting something pro frame adds a great deal to a nice piece. I decided to try out this store with two of my favorite pieces. My duel signed Lafleur & Lapointe all star game photo as well as the team signed photo I spoke about it my "Festifan" post. The outcome was excellent, professional framing that will now be part of my collection forever.

Montreal Canadiens Team Signed Photo From Festifan.

Duel Signed Lafleur/Lapointe with Dryden.

As I mentioned in some of my results, the pieces I really love I send out to my frame guy right away. He really does great work and the turn around time is very quick. For the most part I bring my item there and leave it up to them on how things will be framed. The outcome is always great, take a look for yourselves.

Jean Beliveau frame from my "Class Act" post 

Dickie Moore & Gordie Howe frame

This truly has to be one of my favorites pieces to date. Dickie Moore was really kind of an unsung hero compared to some of the Canadiens legends of his time. As you may recall from my first post at the rantingrocket.com was of Dickie Moore. The Gordie Howe autograph was really a bonus, Ive never done a private signing since Ive started collecting but had to jump on the chance to complete this piece. It was more then I like to spend for autographs but well worth it. They both inscribed the photo with the years they won the Art Ross trophy (As the NHL scoring champion) as well as the year they were admitted into the hockey hall of fame.

Carey Price frame as mentioned in the "Carey Price 1st shutout" post

Not much more to say on this piece like I mentioned in my previous post I got this and brought it the day of to my framer to complete the piece.

Finding Stuff.

As a collector finding collectables locally rather then ebay can be extremely rewarding. In my opinion most things on ebay are either over priced from the start or become over priced by overzealous collectors. When I have time to kill I like go through kijiji and poke around local markets in hopes of finding something interesting. I have to say that the last couple days have been great in that regard.

I have managed to find a Montreal Gazette sports section from the day they closed the Montreal Forum.  I had hopes of coming up with a unique framing idea for framing my Program and ticket from that game. Its seems like the addition of the newspaper may just be what I was looking for.

Montreal Gazette March 11th 1996

I also got the chance to score a few retirement ceremony packages from two of the greatest goalies in Montreal history. I was able to obtain the complete package Patrick Roy package (Ticket,Program,Litho,Mask,Banner and pucks) as well as parts of the Ken Dryden ceremony package (Mask and program). I was extremely pleased to come across these pieces as time passes the harder some of these pieces will be to find in good condition.

Ken Dryden set (Front)

Ken Dryden Set (Back/inside of program)

Complete Patrick Roy Ceremony Package.

 While purchasing the retirment bundles I was able to haggle that two Metro Game giveaway bobbleheads be thrown into the deal. Not bad, I already had the Koivu bobble but nothing beats the great price of free.

The infamous Guy Lafleur disco album. Probably the worst music ever made but truly interesting and must have for any Montreal Canadiens collector. This is the second one in my collection but the price was so low I figure one day I will make use of my double. Fun fact the album includes a shirtless poster of Guy Lafleur...I'm not sure if I was the demographic for this album.

Guy Lafleur Vinyl Record.

Here is a look at the "Launch Party" for the album. Seems corny now but the ladies back then seem to feeling flower's music.


Overall I was very pleased with what I was able to pick up for the price I paid (total under 40$). My favorite piece hands down has to be the Gazette from the forum's last night. The interesting cover page work and from front to back the section was a great read. I'll post the finished product once I frame it with my other forum pieces.