No. 01for prints, posters, photographs, watercolours, oils
Custom Picture Framing
Hundreds of moulding samples on the wall behind the counter, from blackened oak to high gilt. We help you find the one that lets the artwork speak for itself.
Custom framing on 2nd Avenuesince 1984
The frame is thequietest partof the picture.
For forty-two years, John has been cutting mats and joining mouldings at 1615 2nd Avenue. Bring in a print, a jersey, a scarf, a Playbill, a grandparent's lithograph. Walk past the sample wall. Pick something honest. Pick it up framed.
1984
Year One
4.8★
187 Google reviews
42
years on the block
The Sample Wall, 1615 2nd Avenue
c. every wood tone, in stock
“For years it's my go-to for framing and to talk about art. John is the best.”
— Brothers Guitar Shop · Google review
EST. 19841615 2nd Ave42 years on the same block4.8 ★ · 187 Google reviewsYorkville, Upper East SideCustom framing · mat cutting · restorationOpen Mon to SatJohn, master framerEST. 19841615 2nd Ave42 years on the same block4.8 ★ · 187 Google reviewsYorkville, Upper East SideCustom framing · mat cutting · restorationOpen Mon to SatJohn, master framer
§ About the shop
A small frame shop,run by the same person,at the same address,for forty-two years.
“John is the best.” “John is amazingly skilled.” “John was fantastic.”
That's how the Google reviews go. They aren't about a brand or a chain. They are about one person, by name. John has been at 1615 2nd Avenue since 1984, joining mouldings, cutting mats, fitting glass, restoring frames that came over with someone's grandmother, and quietly building the kind of neighbourhood trust you can't buy and can't shortcut.
The shop is small. The sample wall is not. Floor to ceiling, counter to back wall, every wood tone, every gilt, every modern gallery finish, in stock. When you walk in with a print or a shadow-box project, you don't pick from a catalogue. You hold corner samples up against the work and see what answers it.
The pieces on these walls have included a Hermès Grande Tenue scarf, a Derek Jeter shadow-box with five World Series tickets, the original Hamilton Playbill alongside the Alexander Hamilton sheet music, a Tracey Emin print, a Robert Indiana print, signed sports jerseys. Mediterranean oils. Yosemite gouaches. A child's drawing. They all get the same care.
In the shop since
1984
Open
Mon to Sat,
from 10:30
from 10:30
§ What we do
Five things,done unhurried.
No franchise menu. No upsell stack. The list has been the same for four decades because it's the work the neighbourhood actually brings in.
No. 02for objects that matter
Shadowbox & Memorabilia
Signed jerseys and shirts, Playbills with sheet music, Hermès silk scarves, World Series tickets, family heirlooms. Deep shadowboxes built to last on a wall, not in a drawer.
No. 03perfect mats, every time
Mat Cutting
Single, double, V-groove, French. Cut to the millimetre on a Wizard table so the picture sits dead-centre and the bevels are crisp.
No. 04anti-reflective · UV-protective
Custom Glass & Mirror
Conservation glass and museum glass that takes the glare out without dulling the colour. Bespoke mirrors cut and bevelled in-shop for any wall.
No. 05respectful repair, no over-restoration
Antique Frame Restoration
Gilt repair, chip fills, corner re-joints, surface cleaning. Old frames brought back to good standing, the way John has been doing it since 1984.
Not sure which one your piece needs?
Call John · (917) 302-5355Bring it in. We'll look at it on the counter and tell you in two minutes.
§ The work
A few pieces that came back looking like themselves.
From signed sports memorabilia to silk scarves, theatre Playbills to fine-art prints. Photographed at the counter the day they were handed back.
The sample wall, looking past the counter
Hundreds of mouldings, every wood tone, in stock
Yankees Derek Jeter shadowbox
Five World Series tickets, action frames, stadium panorama
Hermès Grande Tenue silk scarf
Large square shadowbox with a museum-glass face
Hamilton playbill, signed sheet music, family photo
Triple-aperture mat in a deep gold shadowbox
Tracey Emin and Robert Indiana prints
Twin contemporary frames, gallery hung
A signed Mediterranean townscape
Custom mat and a warm wood inner liner
Andre Saraiva, Sweetgreen 1er Août 2007
A thin gold frame for a music-poster lithograph
A finished piece, handed back
A History of Coexisting Life · 24×36, gallery white
Every piece photographed in the shop. No stock images, no generated mock-ups.
§ Notes from customers
What theneighbourhoodwrites about John.
4.8across 187 Google reviews
“This place is an Upper East Side treasure. For years it's my go to for framing and to talk about art. John is the best. Great value. Fast. And incredible work.”
— Brothers Guitar Shop · Google
“This place is an UES treasure. For years it's my go to for framing and to talk about art. John is the best. Great value. Fast. And incredible work!”
Brothers Guitar Shop
4 months ago
“I have been buying frames and receiving various other frame-related services here for years. I am never disppointed. They always do a superb job: they cut the mats perfectly, always firnd the perfect frame, etc., and basically leave me feeling very satisfied and happy. I srongly recommend this great store. Great prices too.”
Daniel R
3 months ago
“John is amazingly skilled expert at framing any size art work, picture, illustration or poster. I was so pleased with his work and the advice he gave me for choosing the frame's perfect color. He was also kind and understanding. I do recommend him and his prices are reasonable.”
Mildred De Leon
5 months ago
“Incredible job framing my signed Son shirt that now looks amazing on my wall. I thought it was expensive at first but it's a big frame, heavy and well made. Beautiful job, thanks again!!”
Elliot Rogers
9 months ago
“John was fantastic and the work was professionally and beautifully done. Great pricing too!”
Jason Puma
3 months ago
§ Visit the shopCall John · (917) 302-5355
On 2nd Avenuebetween 83rd & 84th.
Address
1615 2nd Avenue
between E 83rd & E 84th · Yorkville
Upper East Side, NY 10028
Open in Google Mapsbetween E 83rd & E 84th · Yorkville
Upper East Side, NY 10028
Hours
Mon to Sat · from 10:30
Sunday closed
Sunday closed
Call to confirm same-day availability for a drop-off.
Nearest subway
4 · 5 · 6 at 86th St (Lexington Av)
Q at 86th St (2nd Av)
Q at 86th St (2nd Av)
Look for the red awning between Best Chinese Bodywork and the barber. The sign says J. Art Gallery above and Picture Framing Outlet below. Push the door — John will be at the back.
Est. 1984 · YorkvillePicture Framing Outlet
Call John