Have time for a couple of art collecting questions?

Question

Hi! Up until now I haven't really spent much time thinking about paintings. Maybe it is because nothing ever caught my eye or I didn't have any money to spend or even a place to store art work, so I am pretty new to this. There is a particular piece I have started to become obsessed with and I'm considering collecting as my first. Okay several questions (from a newbie):

1. "Edition Size: 25" Does this mean the artist actually painted 25 copies or ...? Is 25 big, small, standard?
2. And with regard to the previous question, it says the artist re-created original painting called blah, blah, blah. So, is it safe to assume the "re-creations" (possibly 25 similar pieces) are not as valuable?
3. Which leads to another question. What risk is there of further editions? Thus devaluing the work even more?
4. How comfortable are you with bidding/buying pieces online? I can see a pic and read the add'l text, but would it be best to see it in person? It is in a gallery out of state.

Btw, the work is on paper so I imagine the value can not be too great. If there are any links you'd deem as useful to a newbie like myself, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks.

Okay, makes sense. It must be a print:

- "Hand embellished"
- Has "Certificate"
- "Signed"
- "Pristine"
- "Original: Yes"?

Even though it is a print and I enjoy the piece for what it is, does it also have teh possibility of increasing in value?

Answer 1

1) It probably is a print, not an original painting. May be signed and still very collectible though. 25 is a very very small amount. Even etches are printed in a bigger amount.. around 100-150
2) Same as above. If a painter were to 'recreate' a painting it would be another version..not a copy. Van Gogh painted many sunflowers but never the same.
3) No not really as it is almost a standard value. A serious artist will stick with the initial set. There may be commercial copies...like postcard, but these will not influence the price of your 'original copy'.
4) Mail them and ask them these same questions ( except this last one obviously) If you like what they answer you can determine what you want to pay for it.

Make sure you know what it is you are paying for.

BIG hint. Don't EVER buy art because you expect to make money on it. Enjoy it. You probably will make your money back if you were to sell it again if the artist is any good but usually you will not make any profit soon.

With prints it is even worsr as they tend to suffer from any environment and light. To keep them pristene you would have to lock them in an environmetal contolled safe. Not much enjoyment there...but don't worrie about that.

A print of a unknown artist should be...guessing here.. around $25- $50 if it is a hand made print and any good. Don't be surprised if you find prints with $500 attached to them. They are around and worth it possibly but the way you are buying you at least should limit your 'risk' to buy something dissapointing.

Answer 2

If it is a print and the artist printed it himself (not a machine), it's considered original artwork.It doesn't matter if there are 25 more, because no one is exactly the same with the other one. The numbering is O.K for 25 pieces and the prices goes as in any other artwork..If the artist goes up, so does the print.! As for buying online, it is not exactly safe since an artwork can look completely different in a picture.

Answer 3

there are several things to bear in mind when buying works on paper... get informaton about the "real" edition size, how many artists proofs are there, is their a preferred edition on better paper, is there going to be another edition later with a color change, who printed it and on what paper, Is it plate signed or pencil signed, is there a certificate of authenticity that goes with it signed by the artist and the seller and maybe even the printer are there printers proofs of this and maybe even museum proofs as well. will there be a restrik edition later or is there a cancellation proof taken from a canceled pplate as proof of the end of the edition, what medium is it done in, Is there another edition of this print done in any different format or size etc. collecting works on paper requires a bit more knowledge of what each surface looks like depending on whether or not is is wood cut lino cut, steel engraving, silkscreen,etching, drypoint, engraving, messotint, callotype, monoprint etc. There is a book out most likely out of print now but Amazon will have one called the Art of the Print by Fritz Eichenberg that is the printmakers bible as far as I am concerned get a copy for some evening reading and then when you see other pieces that you like you have a stack of questions to ask and are better prepared to understand the answers. You will get better answers and more respect as well as be invited to look at the good stuff that most customers never see as it is kept for serious collectors for the most part. If you need to talk further about prints drop me a line I will be glad to e-mail with you about what it is that you have an interest in.