| Unfortunately, scams abound for prints on artists' | | | | indeed a Warhol. The Warhol foundation owns and |
| web sites, dealers' web sites, auction sites | | | | licenses out the rights, which produces revenues |
| (unscrupulous sellers, not the sites) and also off | | | | for the non-profit foundation. This type of printing |
| line through frame shops, art fairs, shows and | | | | falls within my understanding of the decorative |
| galleries that sell prints. Some of these prints may | | | | market, and although it can be well done, these |
| be for works of well known artists who may | | | | prints are not investments. |
| have absolutely no idea about the scam. | | | | There are living artists who also have their works |
| Basically, there are two print markets. | | | | reproduced as prints both for the decorative |
| The first is unsigned, usually not archival and | | | | market and also as limited edition fine art prints. |
| rarely a limited edition. This is decorative art, | | | | Distinguishing between the two types of prints is |
| although you can find prints of work by Monet, | | | | simple when dealing with a reputable artist. |
| Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Warhol in this market. | | | | Although reputable artists will sign posters made |
| This market can include Giclees. You can find this | | | | of there work to publicize exhibits and events, |
| stuff at Target, Michael's, posters.com, etc. easily | | | | those posters will not be numbered. Fine art prints |
| and cheaply. | | | | are always in limited editions and the total of |
| The other market is for fine art limited edition | | | | signed and numbered prints for any images should |
| prints, that are most usually, especially if the work | | | | never exceed 1000, and that is the absolute limit |
| is Modern or Contemporary signed and numbered. | | | | by a few hundred! |
| These prints may be collected to decorate one's | | | | A Certificate of Authenticity should accompany |
| home or office, but they are also thought to be | | | | every investment quality fine art print, signed by |
| an investment that may one day become | | | | either the artist and or the publisher. It should |
| profitable, or at least if the buyer has the print | | | | include the name of the print, the dimensions of |
| archival framed, will not lose value over time. This | | | | the print, the media, and the number of the print |
| is the category where a buyer needs to beware. | | | | over the number of the edition, plus, the number |
| If the number of the print edition is over 750, | | | | of total signed and numbered prints that will be |
| including any extra prints, sometimes known as | | | | published of that image, ever. If the print is new, |
| proofs or artists proofs, it is not a truly fine art | | | | the COA should be dated. At the time of sale the |
| limited edition print. In the second category | | | | collector should be given information as to where |
| hucksters, tricksters, greedy merchants and | | | | and how to update provenance records if the |
| artists abound. When researching limited edition | | | | work leaves his hands. If a work is truly fine art, |
| prints for my own work, I discovered more than | | | | provenance is being kept on the artist's original |
| I ever want to know and certainly take part in! | | | | and limited edition works. |
| Collecting true fine art signed and numbered | | | | Having a reproductive print on canvas does not |
| limited edition prints are a less expensive way to | | | | make it a better print. In fact, an artist's work |
| collect investment quality fine art. Many people | | | | may be more valuable for being published on |
| can afford it and if one selects prints by good and | | | | paper than on canvas although for absolutely |
| reputable artists one has the opportunity to have | | | | original same-sized works this is usually not the |
| one's investment grow along with the artist's | | | | case. A reproductive limited edition print is always |
| reputation and market. | | | | based on an original. Works created on paper, |
| Beware artists who paint religious subjects or | | | | including watercolors often look more like an |
| who claim to be Christians or Jews who issue | | | | original and make better prints when printed on |
| prints. Some of the most wonderful people are | | | | the best archival papers that have texture. |
| authentic religious artists who offer good work | | | | Furthermore, the quality of the inks, paper or |
| and product, but a few, just a few are wolves in | | | | canvas, and printing equipment count. An artist |
| sheep's clothing. Follow all the information given | | | | running off an edition on his inkjet printer on |
| here and you will not fall prey to them. | | | | cheap canvas is creating a product that will literally |
| Legally, any artist or publisher who has gained the | | | | fade into obscurity in only a few years. I have |
| privilege of using an image can call any edition a | | | | witnessed artists selling what they termed limited |
| limited edition by setting a certain number of | | | | edition, signed and numbered prints, which were |
| prints within that edition. So, a limited edition of | | | | made on the color copier at the local print shop. |
| prints can be ten in number or 20,000. Scarcity | | | | These prints are guaranteed to fade in only a few |
| creates value. An open edition print can end up | | | | years, but legally an artist can do this. Buyer |
| being any number of works that the printer and | | | | beware. |
| artist can manage to sell and thanks to modern | | | | Most artists prefer not to frame prints but to |
| technology, this can go on for many years | | | | leave that to the collector and a reputable framer |
| duration. | | | | who will carefully use archival materials to |
| Some publishers and artists figured out a clever | | | | surround the work. Many collectors keep their |
| way to get around the general notion that a | | | | prints unframed in archival boxes, away from light |
| limited edition has a rather small and finite number. | | | | and humid conditions. Sometimes collectors have a |
| They publish a limited edition in one size, and later | | | | folio of prints, all numbered the same from an |
| they publish the same print in another size - or | | | | artist's series. Recently one of Warhol's work was |
| even repeat a previous size (especially if it sold | | | | on the market and the fact that the seller had a |
| well) by specially naming the edition. I have seen | | | | complete signed set all numbered with the same |
| this kind of edition named, "the Jubilee edition," the | | | | number made the works more valuable. |
| "Celebration series" the Master edition", and so | | | | An artist who truly cares about his or her |
| forth. Pretty much looks like a scam to me. | | | | reputation is going to take care that all the |
| Reputable, good artists and publishers do offer | | | | information is made known about their prints. All |
| prints in different sizes and even media. For | | | | of the information mentioned above will be on the |
| instance a true limited edition work may be | | | | COA and/or in catalogues and other materials. |
| offered on canvas and paper at the buyer's | | | | Artists will not be trying to also do framing, |
| choice. Similarly, reputable artists and printers are | | | | offering various suggestions online - although print |
| known to offer the same image in various sizes, | | | | dealers may. |
| all signed and numbered. They may even call | | | | A print that was owned by someone previously |
| these different sized or media offerings by names | | | | may be already framed. Ask questions! Ask about |
| that are similar to the ones mentioned previously. | | | | provenance and where you go to report it when |
| However, these reputable honest folks offer one | | | | the print changes hands. If the print is for a living |
| big difference. | | | | or well known artist and you do not receive an |
| From the onset the printer and more importantly | | | | immediate answer of person or gallery to contact, |
| the artist clearly indicate the exact number of | | | | including their address, you are probably better |
| prints signed and numbered prints that will ever | | | | off not purchasing the print except as only a |
| be available of the image. Most will even set out | | | | decoration. |
| how many prints will exist in each edition | | | | If the work is being offered by a third party, |
| according to size and media. The collector should | | | | contact the artist directly yourself and make |
| be able to know how many signed and numbered | | | | inquiries. Reputable artists will not try to cut their |
| prints will ever be made available. Period. | | | | dealers out of a sale, but will be glad to assist |
| For example, let's use Andy Warhol: | | | | with a sale. Reputable artists want to maintain |
| The market and price for his silkscreen prints | | | | provenance, so if you have questions about |
| continues to soar. Most of his work was signed, | | | | provenance for a work, the artist, or the gallery |
| usually on the back sometimes on the front and | | | | that represents them will be helpful. Developing a |
| provenance (the record of who has owned the | | | | strong secondary market for an artist's work is |
| work, and for how long and then who owned it | | | | valuable to the artist and their primary dealer(s). |
| next) is usually available. Warhol often published | | | | You should enjoy an above board and satisfying |
| him prints in editions of about 300, depending of | | | | relationship with all parties when you make |
| the image. He might later reuse the image, | | | | inquiries about an original print you wish to |
| especially with portraits, such as Marilyn Monroe, | | | | purchase. However, an artist who attempts to |
| but the colors and arrangement of images would | | | | undercut a legitimate dealer (not a private party |
| change significantly. | | | | who may be seeking an unrealistic price) is |
| Today one can also purchase unsigned | | | | probably giving you good reason to back away |
| unnumbered Warhol prints, usually litho or posters | | | | from collecting their art. |
| of the most iconic works at stores where | | | | Prints are a great way for an informed collector |
| decorative prints are sold. These are neither | | | | to enjoy the satisfaction and investment rewards |
| produced to be archival or signed and numbered, | | | | that can come from collecting art. Collecting good |
| although they may be accounted as authentic by | | | | art is an investment you can show and share with |
| the foundation, meaning the original image is | | | | pride. |