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THE COMPLETE
GUIDE TO
LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
How to Identify, Invest & Care for Your Collection
by: Jay Brown |
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FOREWORD: GETTING TO KNOW THE AUTHOR
INTRODUCTION: THE OFFSET LITHOGRAPHIC PRINT REVOLUTION
CHAPTER 1: THE OFFSET LITHOGRAPH: PAST AND FUTURE
In the Beginning There was Traditional Lithography
The Founding Father of the Offset Art Print
Collectibility and the Wildlife Art Movement
Trend: Art Continues to Gain Popularity
CHAPTER 2: AN ORIGINAL PRINT COMPARISON
Original Prints
Etchings
Distinguishing Traits of Etchings
Stone Lithographs
Distinguishing Traits of Stone Lithographs
Serigraphs
Distinguishing Traits of Serigraphs
CHAPTER 3: THE NEW GENERATION – FINE ART OFFSET LITHOGRAPHY
Fine Art Offset Lithography Defined
The Fine Art of Offset Printing
Why is it Called an "Offset"?
Destruction of the Printing Plates
Distinguishing Traits of Fine Art Offset Prints
CHAPTER 4: THE PAPERS AND THE INKS
The Longevity of the Ink
The Standards for Paper Quality and Longevity
Coated Papers
A Word About Borders
The Deckle Edge
CHAPTER 5: THE CANVAS PRINT REVOLUTION
The Canvas Print Defined
The Fine Art of Canvas Print Production
Adding a Few Little Highlights
Distinguishing Traits of Canvas Prints
The Future of Canvas Prints
CHAPTER 6: THE PRINT PUBLISHER
The Role of the Publisher
Decisions, Decisions: What Image to Print?
Release Prices and Edition Sizes
The Tradition of Multiple-Sized Prints
Image Sizes
The Ethics of Reprinting a Limited Edition Print
The Printing Process Takes Time
Two Different Breeds: Publishers and Printers
CHAPTER 7: LIMITED EDITION OFFSET PRINT TERMINOLOGY
The Limited Edition Concept
Breaking the Edition Down By the Numbers
The Artist Proof
The Publisher’s Proof
The Printer’s Proof
The Specimen Print
The Conservation Edition
The Time-Limited Edition Concept
The Open-Edition Print Concept
The Poster Concept
What does “E.A.” Mean?
Hors de Commerce
Remarques
CHAPTER 8: THE SIGNATURE
The Purpose of the Artist’s Signature
The Laborious Signing Process
Locating the Signature
The Pencil Signature
The Signature and Investment Potential
Two Signatures Per Print
The Plate Signature vs. the Original Signature
The Value of a Countersignature
CHAPTER 9: THE SECONDARY MARKET
Finding the Secondary Market
The Primary Market Defined
Determining the Secondary Market Price
Secondary Market Sources
The Art Brokers
Selling on the Secondary Market
Standard Gallery Resale Commissions
CHAPTER 10: CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION
Defining Mint Condition
The Importance of Condition
Conducting an Inspection
Avoiding the Dings
The Effects of Flawed Prints
Roller Marks
The Border Condition
The Value Based on Condition
Replacing a Non-Mint Condition Print
CHAPTER 11: STORAGE AND SHIPPING
Packing for Storage
The Harm of the Roll
The Art of Shipping Unframed Prints
The Art of Shipping Framed Prints
CHAPTER 12: FRAMING
Picking Out a Good Framer
The PPFA
The CPF
Museum Mounting
Corner Pockets
Flanges
Rice Paper Hinges
The Purpose of Matting
Selecting the Matting Colors
The Importance of Acid-Free Mats
A Guide to Standard Mat Measurements
Glassing for Protection
Selecting the Right Type of Glass
Selecting the Frame
Why is Framing So Expensive?
Don’t Forget the Backing
Make Sure It’s Archival
The Permanence of Dry Marking
CHAPTER 13: INVESTING IN ART
The World’s Best Investment—Fine Art
Buying for Investment
Selling for Investment
Framed or Unframed for Greatest Value
Recovering the Cost of Framing
The Suggestion of Investment—An Art Gallery Taboo
Invest in the Leader of a Movement
Investing in the Prolific Artist
Investing in Slow and Steady Prints
Theme Art—A Different Kind of Investment
The Value of National Exposure
The Sell Out
Knowing the Value of an Edition Size
The Lower Number Misconception
An Artist’s Personal Touch
The Value of the Print Envelope
Matched Number Print Collections
Purchasing a Print in Multiple
Promotion, Promotion, Promotion
Reaching the Price Peak
CHAPTER 14: THE ARTIST’S PROOF
The Misunderstood Value of Artist’s Proofs
To Number or Not to Number
Buying the Artist’s Proof as a Form of Insurance
CHAPTER 15: GALLERY ETIQUETTE
Negotiating the Best Price
Standard Trial and Return Policies
Getting the Most Out of the Service
Telemarketing Art
CHAPTER 16: DEATH AND TAXES
When Artists “Kick the Bucket”
The Making of Prints by a Deceased Artist
Charitable Prints and Tax Deductions
CHAPTER 17: RESTORATION
Knowing What Can Be Restored
Finding a Professional Restorer
Restoring to Mint Condition
Understanding Acid Burn
CHAPTER 18: APPRAISALS AND INSURANCE
Finding an Art Appraiser
Getting the Most Out of Art Insurance
Framer’s Insurance
CHAPTER 19: HANGING AND LIGHTING
Placing Art at the Proper Height
Hanging Art Above a Fireplace
The Dangers of Smoking
Hanging Art in a Bathroom
The Problem with Picture Lights
Determining the Safest Lighting Fixture
The Proper Way to Light
CHAPTER 20: COPYRIGHTS
The Artist Holds the Rights
Copyright Infringement
The Owner of the Painting and Control of the Prints
Insight Into the Date
CHAPTER 21: AUTHENTICATIONS
The Importance of Authentication
The Publisher’s Seal of Authenticity
CHAPTER 22: A FEW OTHER THINGS
Collector Societies
The New Technology: Giclee Prints
The Duck Stamp
Licensed Products
CHAPTER 23: THE STATE OF THE ART
The Leading Publishers of Offset Lithographic Art
The Magazines Worth Reading
The Shows to See
CHAPTER 24: A FINAL WORD ABOUT FINE ART OFFSET LITHOGRAPHS |
