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FAQ - Shipping

Q. How is my order shipped?
A. We ship UPS within the continental U.S. For a gift, or if you prefer delivery to your work place, list that address under "Shipping Address". UPS does not deliver to P.O. boxes, so we need a street or comparable address.

Q. How much does shipping cost?
A. Shipping costs depend on the size of your purchase. Here is the formula:

SHIPPING RATES
Amount	Regular	2nd Day	Next Day
to $36	$5.95	$19	$39
$36.01 - 58	$8.95	$21	$42
$58.01 - 89	$11.95	$25	$44
$89.01 - 120	$15.45	$32	$55
$120.01 - 159	$17.95
$159.01 - 200	$20.95
$200.01 - 250	$24.95
Over $250.01	9%+	22%+	32%+
Expediated Service add $8 ; Plus (+) for oversize: $7 (Regular), $26 (2nd Day), $35 (Next Day)

Q. Why aren't shipping charges shown when I order on-line?
A. This seems to be inherent with most shopping cart programs available to web sites of our size. You will receive an email that will arrive in advance of your order detailing shipping charges.

Q. What about damage? Returns? Adjustments?
A. Please inspect all shipments upon arrival, report any losses or damages to us toll-free at 1-800-261-6325 (M-F, 8am - 5pm EST) or Email us at mail@literarycalligraphy.com. Be sure to save the damaged cartons until any claim is settled. If you need to return an item, contact us for information.

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FAQ - The Paintings

Q. How long does it take to create a painting?
A. Over three months for the larger paintings. Susan creates 5-6 paintings per year.

Q. What if she makes a mistake?
A. Susan often makes mistakes; she must do the painting again. However, she works slowly, using a method that minimizes mistakes. First she does the lettering, possibly several times (most prone to mistakes). Next, she completes the central bouquet or figure. Finally, she completes the border art. Her original paintings are pristine; you won't find white-out or any other alterations on the originals.

Q. Can I commission Susan to create a painting?
A. You can send her suggestions, but be aware that there are many texts already in line. She would like to accommodate you but she can only create 5-6 paintings per year.

Q. Are the original paintings for sale?
A. Yes. The prices of the small paintings begin at $5,000.

Q. How does she choose the texts?
A. Susan's background in art history, literature, and philosophy provides lots of ideas. She has an extensive personal library, and also conducts special research projects at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Q. How does she choose the illustration?
A. The illustration is closely tied to the text, either because it is mentioned in the text or conforms to the time period of the text.

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FAQ - The Prints

Q. How are the prints produced?
A. Prints are offset lithographs, a photomechanical reproduction of the original work. By using filters over a camera lens, particular colors are separated. The results are several halftone negatives corresponding to various colors. Each halftone is transferred to a plate. The plates are put on a printing press with a rubber-blanketed roller. Susan has used the same printer, B&B Printing of Bedford, VA, for over 20 years.

Q. Do the prints come in different sizes?
A. Generally no, the prints are the same size as the original painting. In limited cases, paintings originally produced as stationery may be available as both cards and prints.

Q. Will the prints fade in the sun?
A. Not much, since the prints are produced using the most modern printing techniques on acid-free paper. However, the prints should not be placed in direct sun.

Q. What's a limited-edition print? What happens when it runs out?
A. Limited-edition prints are signed and numbered by the artist. When the entire edition is sold, the print is no longer available in that format.

Q. Why are some prints signed & numbered limited editions, others signed, and still others unsigned?
A. Prints in a certain series, such as The Language of Flowers Collection, are generally limited. Very popular designs, such as "Love is Patient" or "Ecclesiastes 3:1-8" are signed but not numbered. Several years ago, as the volume of our business increased, we made the decision to market popular designs as signed prints to keep the price affordable. In a few cases, paintings originally produced as stationery may be available in both cards and unsigned prints.

Q. Are sold-out prints available on the secondary market?
A. We are not active in this market. If you are interested in a particular print, send us your name and we will notify you if your requested print shows up (via a return, etc.).

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FAQ - Custom Mats

Q. What is a mat and why do I need one?
A. Matting is a border that surrounds artwork within a picture frame. Its purpose is to both secure and enhance your artwork. Our mats are custom designed, color coordinated, and individually cut for your particular print. Our offset lithographs are matted with acid-free mat board that has been tested to retain 95% of its brightness for 100 years.

Q. What is a custom mat?
A. Our most popular custom mat is our "circle-in-a-square" double mat. This mat is always (Palm Beach -- like the sand) white on top of a colored undermat that complements the print. In our On-Line Catalog, when the description reads "navy mat," what this means is Palm Beach White on top of a navy blue undermat. The only navy blue that you actually see is a 1/8" line that makes the circle and the square. Over 75% of our prints use the "circle-in-a-square" double mat.

Q. How do I choose a mat color?
A. Most floral prints have two choices: white on a complementary color (for each print) or white on ivy green. For example, the complementary color for "Emily Dickinson's Autumn Flowers" is wine because the calligraphy in the four corners of the print is wine. Ivy green is the color of the foliage, and thus a popular choice.

Q. The print is a gift, what mat color should I order?
A. (White on) Ivy green is the most popular choice because it is easy to decorate with as an accent color.

Q. Why don't all prints come with the "circle-in-a-square" double mat?
A. Several prints (all Christmas Prints, Children's Prints, "Wallace Stevens: Oh Florida," "Ode to Beauty," "From Wonder Into Wonder," "Thoreau: To Live Deliberately," and "Babel") have their own custom mats because these were designed specifically for the print.

Q. Can I buy a mat without a print?
A. You can order in any possible combinations at 1-800-261-6325 (M-F,  8am-5pm  EST) or Email us at mail@literarycalligraphy.com with your request.

Q. What is the mat used for the custom engraving?
A. The design is a double mat with a surrounding V-groove creating an inset for the gold or silver plaque. It is different from our famous "circle-in-a-square" custom mat, which is not suitable for a plaque (trust us).

Q. How many characters can I get engraved on a custom plaque?
A. Plaque includes lettering up to 20 characters (including punctuation and spaces) on each of two lines.

Q. How long does a custom engraved plaque take? Are there extra shipping charges?
A. We send the plaque out for engraving; please allow 2 weeks for final delivery. A plaque is a service item, so that the cost does not add to your purchase amount when calculating shipping charges.

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FAQ - Frames - You can VIEW PICTURES of our frame selections!

Q. What are my framing options?
A. Our frame choices are classic metal sectional or wood. Metal frames are less expensive than wood frames. At the On-Line Catalog, we offer the most popular matting and framing options based on collector orders taken at hundreds of shows over the years.

Q. What's a deluxe frame and all those other names?

A. The upper six wood frames are sized for our framed prints 20" and larger:   GO: Golden oak;   ML: Bird's-eye maple;   GL: Smooth gold leaf;   CH: Cherry;   EG: Elegant gold leaf;   NW: Navy painted (note: this frame suitable for all sizes) ... view frames.

The next five wood frames are sized for our framed prints 16" and smaller (including Triple Window Mat):   OR: Ornate gold leaf;   MS: Bird's-eye maple;   DE: Deluxe gold leaf;   BE: Beaded wood;   DS: Deluxe silver leaf.

Metal sectional frames for any of our prints and custom mats. F: Fern green metal;   S: Silver metal;   N: Navy metal;   G: Gold metal.

Prices are listed for each print in the catalog.

Frame colors may differ slightly from those shown here.

Q. What's included with the frame?

A. Metal frames are high-quality, classically-designed sectional frames. The frame includes glass, metal spring clips, wire, corner protectors, and a hanger. Metal frames shipped quickly.

Wood frames can be matched to furniture or to add an extra touch of individuality to your print. Frame includes glass, wire, corner protectors, backing paper, and a hanger.

Q. What kind of glass?
A. We use conventional glass, produced for the picture framing industry. It doesn't darken the delicate colors of the print and is more durable than plexiglass.

Q. I want a frame that isn't listed in the On-Line Catalog that I have seen at a show. How can I order this?
A. You can order in any possible combinations at 1-800-261-6325 (M-F,  8am-5pm  EST) or Email us at mail@literarycalligraphy.com with your request.

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