Keys
To Collecting Prints by Artist,
Victoria Chick
Thinking
about collecting some "prints"? Buy with
confidence, here are some handy tips to remember when shopping the art
scene.
The excitement of
collecting prints usually begins unexpectedly with a gift, an
inheritance, or when you spot a print that you just have to have.
Whatever the starting point, you now have the collecting bug and you
want more. But wait. What is it about this print that you like? Is it
the subject, the technique, the style, or possibly the age of the print
that holds your interest? Maybe you are just interested in the
particular artist that made the print you have and would like more of
that artist’s work. Focusing on one or two aspects will help you build
a true collection.
So you get worth for
your collector’s dollar here are some terms you should know and some
tips to remember.
Print
is a word that is
very loosely used. Sometimes it is used improperly when reproduction
would be more accurate. So before you purchase make sure the price
reflects the value. A reproduction is a piece from a large number of
photographically produced images. Sometimes this might be autographed by
the artist, but usually not. If the edition is 500 or more, even if it
is autographed, it is likely to be a commercial reproduction. It is not
as valuable as an original print because the number produced makes it
less rare. Sometimes these are marketed as “Limited Editions” but this
is very deceptive. Also, the paper and ink may not be types that last
through the years. Color reproductions can be susceptible to fading.
Newer reproduction processes claim to be archival but we may not be sure
of that claim for another 50-100 years.
Original Prints
should be of limited edition to help maintain their value. Once
in a while you might find something listed as open edition which
means the artist produced a printing plate at some point in time but did
not destroy it after an initial edition so that images can continue to
be produced from the plate until the plate wears out. This situation
reduces value because, again, the rarity of the print is not assured.
For highest value always look for the artist’s signature in the
bottom margin below the print. The exception to this rule is those
prints done before the 20th century, and even for a limited
time into the 20th century, which often had the artist’s
signature inscribed into the plate so it was printed by the press
instead of hand signed by the artist afterward. Another mark of
significance is the edition size. This is indicated in the left
margin under the image in the form of a fraction. For example, 2/50
would mean this is the second print from an edition of 50. Most
original prints are done directly by the artist or the printing is
supervised by the artist and generally not over 250 prints in an
edition. AP means artist’s proof, a print pulled to test
the process before giving the OK to print the edition.
Original prints fall
into a number of categories based on the techniques used. I will write
about these in the future. In the meantime, check out those flea markets
and estate sales, go to artist markets and festivals. Have a great time
searching the internet for images that grab you. Regardless of process,
it is the image that means something to you, that helps form your
ultimate collection. This information is just meant to help you know
what you are seeing.
Photo above:
"Pond with Willows"
by Sven
Birger Sandzen 1871 – 1954
