Question Where to sell a valuable print?

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Verdaccio

Verdaccio

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
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Loc
Berthoud, Colorado
A friend's mother has a framed print that I want to help her sell. Family tragedy has caused the necessity of this and I would like to help her get the most from the piece as she can.

I don't have the specifics of who the artist is and such, but I have seen the piece and it is quite nice. We did a search and did find that some of this artist's prints are going as high as $3,500 in some places a few months ago.

I am getting the specifics of the piece and will post them as soon as they hit my inbox.

In the meantime, I would like to see if folks can help me brainstorm up places where we can get a descent price for this piece.

Many thanks! :)
 
Possibly eBay.

Christie's and Southerbie's may have an interest too.
I've sold a couple items through them. Normally that takes a certain period of time depending on their auction schedule.

Your best option may be to contact a gallery and have them sell it for a commission but that can take time.

eBay would probably be the quickest way to attempt to sell it if time is of the essence. It's a #### shoot whether you'll get a decent price though.
 
If you do sell on eBay, just make sure to set a reserve price high enough to satisfy you. You don't want someone clicking on "Buy this item right now for $10"
 
Taking it to a gallery will probably cut by 50% whatever the print sells for, commission ya know. Try the big auction houses, you may even have a decent auction house in your regional area.
 
Be sure that you find out what happens if it doesn't sell.
I don't know about Sotheby's and Christie's, but a customer
of mine was unpleasantly surprised by Butterfields about
nine years ago. It was back when they gave free estimates
of value. She bought a pastel at a local antique store, and
brought it to me wanting me to cut out a detail of it and
just frame that. I told her that it was a nice piece and perhaps
she should find out it's value. It was by a Major Somebody, and
Butterfield & Butterfield estimated its value at $3000.00. She
sent it off to them to auction, and then nobody bought it.

But then the company billed her for five or six hundred dollars
for having put it through their auction process. She was really
frustrated by that, and it stopped me cold from recommending
them to people.
 
Verdaccio said:
I don't have the specifics of who the artist is and such, but I have seen the piece and it is quite nice. We did a search and did find that some of this artist's prints are going as high as $3,500 in some places a few months ago.
Click to expand...

Michael, That statement seems a bit contradictory to me. If you don't know the artist's name, how were you able to find comparable sales records?

Lots of questions before any answers, but suffice to say, art is neither terribly liquid, nor is it holding its value very well. Quick sales will net out less than 25% of market value, and unless the property is very sought after, you may only realize 50% if sold through or to a gallery.
Best results are going to be a direct sale to a collector, possibly through an on line auction such as eBay.

Once the artist, medium, age, edition, condition, etc. are known we can then help in finding a buyer.
 
Hello Everyone:

Okay, I have the info about this piece at long last and would love to get your opinions on where I might be able to sell this for a close approximation to its actual value.

Name: "Twilight Surf"
Artist: Peter Ellenshaw
Dated: 1967
Giclee Print on Canvas
 

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Oh how prices vary! Here are two current listings:

This one from a brokerage:
"Twilight Surf (Seascape)" 1967

New Listing

Limited Edition Print
Giclee on Canvas
Size: 40 x 30 in
Framed Size: 43 x 33 in
Edition #: 67
Certificate of Authenticity: Art Brokerage
Framed without Glass
Hand Signed Signed and dated lower left

Retail Price: $4,000 USD
Asking Price: $3,000 USD

​
And then there's this one from Joe. Maybe someone should give Joe a call!

Peter Ellenshaw Painting “Twilight Surf” - Stunning!
​

View larger image


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Date Listed27-Oct-09 Price$100.00 AddressWelland, ON, Canada
View map


Gold coloured wood frame. Measures approx 4’ X 3’3”
$100.00 firm.
Please call 905-732-7480 and ask for Joe.



​
 
Hey Welland is just a stone's throw from me - want me to call him?????

If it is a modern giclee then would it possibly be worth anything? Those prices sure sound like an awful lot unless it is a really nice frame with Museum Glass.

BTW - the colors look much more vibrant in Joe's $100 print.....
 
I dont think Giclees were available in 1967. Wow, that's a lot of money. It's nice, but not $3000 nice.
 
I met both Peter and son Harrison (of Star Wars fame) when they were working on matte paintings for Disney's "Black Hole." Two of the greatest matte artists of all time, working on the worst film of all time. They were among the last masters of the art, now it's all 3D animation and photography and paint programs.
 
Are you sure that's a giclee?

I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but try Craigslist. Post it at an outrageously high price. You'll have people coming out of the woodwork to tell you what an idiot you are, and that it's only worth $3000,not $30,000. Those will be the collectors who may be interested in buying it. You can then negotiate with them on a sale at a more reasonable price.
 
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