Some Thoughts on Collecting Original Works of Art and Signed Limited Edition Prints

What is the secondary art market?

It is a group of dealers and individuals who buy and offer for sale prints after an image is sold-out by the publisher. The Dancing Rabbit Gallery is a secondary market for Native American Indian limited editions prints, as well as original artwork and artist’s proofs and printers proofs.. Our art work is filed under each artist’s name. Click on the artist’s name to see what we have available in the gallery.

What is a print?

A print can be an open edition (an unlimited amount of a particular image) or a limited edition (a limited amount of a particular image). A printer’s proof is that first copy taken from the original work of art from which limited edition prints are made. Typically, the printer makes only a handful of printer’s proofs, making these only one step removed from the original work of art and exceedingly rare. Artist’s proofs fall under the same criteria as printer’s proofs. These are the prints an artist approves for printing in limited numbers. Artist’s proofs are also quite rare.

“Low end” or inexpensive prints are usually open editions like posters and photomechanical reproductions. Open edition prints, posters and the like often have text on them, for example, a museum that featured or owns the work, or the artist’s name.  More valuable prints are limited editions, and the processes are more expensive, like screen printing, lithography, and etching, because they are made by hand.

What does signed and numbered mean?

Signed and numbered means that the limited-edition print has been signed and sequentially numbered by the artist. The artist’s signature is usually found in one of the lower corners of the print and is accompanied by a number that looks like a fraction; the top number indicates the number of the print and the bottom number indicates the total number of prints in the edition. Each of these individually numbered pieces is called an impression. It does not matter whether you purchase a lower number or a higher number in the limited edition series—all of the prints in a specific series are of equal value. The Dancing Rabbit Gallery deals in limited edition prints which are hand signed and numbered by the artist. We also have a printers’ proofs and  original works of art.

What does mean when a print is sold out?

The term sold-out means that all of the prints in a limited edition have been sold or acquired by dealers or collectors. When this happens, the only way to acquire such a print is on the secondary art market.

How are pieces of art priced in a secondary market?

It is the determined market value price for a sold-out limited edition print or a piece of art or artwork.

How do you arrive at the price?

Today, with the internet, most people are very savvy when it comes to knowing about pricing. So much information is available. Price is first driven by supply and demand. What is the size of a particular edition on the market, and what is the demand for a particular image? Some auction results may also set price points or markers for pieces that dealers and galleries follow. Condition is a major part of collecting fine art limited edition prints. We in the art business have a mantra, “condition, condition, condition”. Since these limited editions are printed on paper, they are extremely fragile. They can be easily damaged by mishandling, improper framing, and exposure to sunlight. The art work here in the gallery is of the finest quality. Steps have been taken to ensure that each painting is conserved fading and ultra-violet lights.

How do I know the condition is fine?

The paper should lay flat; the colors should look strong (not faded). The print itself should be clear and not smudged or fuzzy. The condition of the art work should be disclosed by the seller.

What about framing?

All works framed in the Dancing Rabbit Gallery are done with acid free matting and museum glass in order to protect the print from fading. Framing is a key element in displaying a work of art. On a personal level, it’s one of my favorite elements in what I do. It’s fun for me to contemplate different mats and moldings for a work I’ve just acquired.

If you purchase an unframed work of art, it should always be stored flat in acid free materials until it is framed, and always should be handled with cotton gloves. Our unframed prints are shrink wrapped on acid free foam core board.

How do I know it’s authentic?

When collecting a fine art limited edition, it is of utmost importance to be certain of its authenticity.

All of the prints and original art works offered through The Dancing Rabbit Gallery were purchased by myself and my family from the artist or a recognized reputable art gallery and will come with a COA document.