SOA's GET INVOLED

Sowhat should you be looking for when looking to own an art print? Wellaccording to auction house, Artelino follow these Value Factors...

* Artist's Name and Rarity

It is obvious that the name of the artist is one of the majorfactors that determines the value of an art print. But it is not asobvious why you can buy an original print by for instance Chagall forUS$500 or for US$20,000. What is the difference? It is rarity. Theprint for US$20,000 is from an edition of 50 copies, signed andnumbered by the artist. The print for US$500 comes from an edition sizeof an estimated 5,000 without any numbering nor is it signed by theartist personally. But it is an original piece of art by Chagallnevertheless.

* Condition

Old art prints will always have some flaws. If not, look twice! Itmight be a reproduction. While minor flaws like slight soiling areconsidered as normal - depending on age of course - other defects canreduce the value of a print considerably. Such defects are missingparts, large tears, trimming into the image, heavily faded colors, veryobvious stains or run-out colors.

* Quality of Impression

Prints taken early from a plate or woodblock are more precise anddetailed in lines than later impressions. Depending on the technique, ablock/plate is worn out after a certain amount of impressions. Hardlymore than 2,000 impressions could be taken from a woodblock without arather visible deterioration of quality.

* Size

Larger prints tend to cost more than smaller ones. This rule of thumb is less valid for old prints than for modern ones.

* Subject

Although rather irrational, the subject of a print has a greatinfluence on value. Attractive subjects are cute animals, pretty women,nice landscapes, interesting portraits. Also unusual subjects can be inhigh demand. Commercially non-appealing subjects are everything ugly,gloomy, war-related. Also boring landscapes or ugly portraits do notsell well.

* Provenance

Prints coming from a famous collection will usually yield a premium.