When submitting a print for online evaluation it would be most helpful if you could provide:
1) Provenance: The item's history and where you obtained it from.
2) Measurements/dimensions in either inches or centimeters.
3) Digital photographs giving the front view and if there is any writing on the back a picture of it or tell us what it is often helpful (unless it just says something like framed by).
Furthermore, we would like to know, as best as you can:
i) Numbered Prints: We need to know the name of the artist and print, plus the number of the print, i.e. 35/750. If signed then a picture of the signature helps.
ii) Engravings: We need to know the title of the engraving, the artist name (sculpture in French) and the engraver’s name, plus any date and whether or not it is black and white or hand colored.
iii) Oriental prints: We are sorry but we do not read Japanese nor Chinese. Note: Often
the artist name has been translated and is written on the back, as was the case with the above famous Ando Hiroshige woodblock
print entitle Sudden Shower. Comically, when informed of its value, it's owner said ”I had better treat it with more respect”.
iv)
Serigraphs: Serigraph is just another word for silkscreen. With mesh counts of 200 to 400 per inch, these are hard to tell unless
you have extremely high magnification, which is beyond the ability of most magnifiers. Like other prints they should be numbered,
i.e. 49/75.
v) Common 20th century prints: In general you will need a magnifier with a medium to high magnification of 5 through 15 in order to see the dots. Note: More often than not ,such prints are not worth being evaluated, however some art deco posters have values which are high and appreciating.
Note: Often the engraving and/or prints are framed and matted with some or all the above necessary information being hidden under the matting. In which case it would be most helpful to look under the matting but it is not always necessarily so, however remember the more accurate information that you provide us with the more accurate you online evaluation appraisal will be.
Note: When measuring a engraving, or print, it is actual size of it which does NOT include the measurement of the matting and/or frame.
Note: When evaluating for replacement value we fully consider the costs of framing, and any glazing and/or matting. When contemplating the market value, we give such things only minor consideration, with the emphasisis being the print. The understanding is that the new owner in all liklihood may choose to change the frame etc, hence our reasoning.
Online Evaluation, Appraisal of Prints As with most things, high end prints should be inspected up close. This includes ,most signed limited editions. Thus, you should call and book an appointment. We then come to your residence and inspect the print. We take pictures, measurements and examine the artist's signature. We then return home and examine the artist records, what he/she sells for in galleries and any other information that we can obtain. A report is then written. The report is then and mailed to you along with a pdf file that you should store on your computer.
Our report (your appraisal) is accepted by both the courts and insurance companies
If you are just interested in knowing an estimation of your painting's (or other fine art) value thenyou can have us appraise on-line. On-line appraisals are just estimates based upon the information that you provide.
Accordingly, on-line appraisals should not be used for legal purposes whether that be for the courts or for insurance purposes'
