Researching and Evaluating Posters and Prints
There are several factors to be considered in determining the value of a print or poster. For example, the printing method used, the rarity, the physical condition of the item, and even the subject matter can all affect an item’s value.
One way to get an idea of how much something of your own is worth is by seeing how much others have paid for the same or a comparable item. See Buy a Posterfor places to research how much a poster is being offered for.
The following Web sites give general tips on determining the value of a print:
Collecting Original Vintage Posters
This page from the International Poster Gallery explains how six key factors affect the price and collectibility of fine art posters: printing method, artistic achievement, subject, rarity, condition, and conservation.
Whether you are researching a family heirloom or a yard-sale find, these tips and resources from the Smithsonian American Art Museum will help you get started. Just be prepared to do a little detective work.
These links from the Philadelphia Print Shop provide provide historic information and educational resources for collectors and those interested in learning more.
Wonder how much your art or object might be worth and how to sell it? Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s largest, most trusted and dynamic marketplace for art and luxury. Simply follow the steps provided and the specialists at Sotheby's will review your submission at no cost and provide preliminary estimates for items that can be included in one of their sales channels in 5 to 7 business days.
Learn the key considerations for pricing art, research artists, view sales analysis tools, and compare your own works with similar works that have estimates or sale prices at askART.com.
Price Guides
Price guides might also be helpful in determining the value of a print. They usually indicate the prices specific works of art have sold for at an auction and can only give the vaguest hint of what your art might be worth. These guides are usually published in paper or CD-ROM format and are most likely to be available in specialized university or museum libraries. They are not usually available online, and you may have to search through several volumes before you find something useful.
Here are some price guides that might be helpful for researching posters and prints. None of these specialized price guides is currently available at the UNT Libraries.
Professional Appraisers
The staff of the UNT Libraries are neither qualified nor permitted to provide appraisals of works of art.
You can usually find a professional appraiser in the Yellow Pages, listed under the heading "Appraisers."
Directories of Appraisers
The following Web sites also list appraisers and provide contact information.
American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
ASA is a nonprofit organization which was established to create an effective professional affiliation of appraisers of all disciplines, working cooperatively to elevate the standards of the appraisal profession. By reason of this broad concept, the society occupies a unique position among all professional appraisal societies in that it recognizes and is concerned with all classes of property: real, personal, tangible and intangible.
Appraisers Association of America
The Appraisers Association of America, established in 1949, is the premier association of personal property appraisers who focus on fine and decorative arts. Seasoned professionals, members serve public and private collectors alike to deliver independent, ethical, and objective valuations for insurance, estate tax, charitable donation, equitable distribution, and liquidation purposes.
International Society of Appraisers
Founded in 1979, the International Society of Appraisers, or ISA, is the leading professional personal property appraisal association, representing the most highly trained and rigorously tested independent appraisers in the United States and Canada. ISA is a not-for-profit, member-driven association, formed to support member needs and enhance public trust by producing qualified and ethical appraisers who are recognized authorities in personal property appraising.
Online Appraisers
The following Web sites offer various levels of appraisal and provide some tips on how professional appraisals are done, what kinds of appraisals are available, and how to determine whether you need one.
Free Estimates
If you do not wish to pay for a professional appraisal, and you are merely looking for a general estimate of what your item might be worth, the following agencies provide free estimates. Keep in mind that if these agencies are hoping to buy from you, their estimates may be artificially low.
Appraises your art for free, using databases from auction houses gathered over the last 20 years.
Sotheby's Gratis Auction Estimate Form
Learn how much your property is likely to be worth at a Sotheby’s auction. Allow about four to six weeks for a reply.
