Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does The Patrician Gallery conduct live art auctions?

No. You are probably looking for the "Patrician Gallery" auction house, which is no longer in business.

Q: Can you help me identify a print?

Q: How can I purchase / locate / resell a print?

Fill out the contact form, or call me at (678) 778-4555 to discuss.

It will be helpful if you know the artist's name, the title of the print, the name of the publisher, and the date published, and if you can email me a photograph of the print.

We will keep your information on file, and we'll get in touch should anyone make a matching inquiry about the print you have/want.

Q: Can you help me determine the worth / value / price of a sold-out print?

The price of a sold-out print always comes down to whatever amount a particular seller and a particular buyer can agree upon at that moment.

It is important to remember that "worth" and "value" are abstract concepts, ranging from an emotional attachment (how precious something is to an individual) to a monetary absolute – the "price" (the amount of money it is actually selling for).

There are many factors which can affect the price of a sold-out print, such as the "issue price" of the print, the amount of interest in its primary market area, its aesthetic appeal, the current popularity of its subject matter and its primary colors, the size of the edition, personal sentiment, condition of the print, the financial concerns of the buyer and the seller, etc.

List Price vs. Price List

A "list price" for sold-out prints can be set forth by any person with the authority to make decisions on pricing, such as an art gallery owner or manager or an individual person who has a collection of prints to sell. Conversely, a "price list" is compiled from a record of actual sales.

Since a "list price" is prepared by an individual, you may want to know the basis for their pricing choices.

One type of "price list" for sold-out prints can be designed as a dynamic tracking of the latest sales prices of the prints. If the resale activity is very brisk, the prices can fluctuate, much like the stock market. Some collector magazines provide this type of list.

Another type of "price list" will record only the highest price paid for the print to date. This List will reflect the increasing market value without taking into account any falling off in the sales.

Usually this type of list will tell you the "maximum value" of the print. Sometimes, however, the last / highest selling price may remain on the list even when a seller could get a much higher price ... but he is unwilling to sell the print for any price.

You can see how it could be confusing to try and establish a definitive "value" for a rare print. You need to understand the underlying design and purpose of whichever official "price list" (or source) you are consulting.

But it is equally important to know the reason for the inquiry. Is the person simply curious or do they need to know the "value" of a print for a specific purpose? Do they want to sell, to buy or to insure a print? Or do they want (or need) to assess a gift or an inheritance? Is the inquiry for themselves or someone else? ... Will a ball-park estimate suffice, or do they need a legal appraisal? Do they need a realistic estimate of what they might be able to sell a print for or a good prediction of what it might cost to purchase it?

Predictable Price

The "predictable price" that any sold-out print will sell for can be effected by many variables – such as the current popularity of the artist's work, the condition of the print, the number of people wanting to sell (supply), the number of people wanting to purchase (demand), and the possibility of connecting a seller with a buyer.

Some artists have an active secondary market in their sold-out prints. This makes it easier to track and predict a selling price for their secondary market prints.

On the other hand, an artist's work may seldom be resold. Sometimes there are no customers for his art. But sometimes his collectors are simply not willing to part with his art. When there are fewer resales of a sold-out print (for whatever reason) it is much more difficult to assertain what the print might sell for.

Actual Selling Price

The Actual Selling Price for a secondary market print is only established when a seller and a buyer come together, agree upon a price, the money is paid, and the print is delivered.

The Actual Selling Price is the "value" that most people want to know. However, the actual selling price is never a forgone conclusion. A sold-out piece of art may sell for a price much higher or, possibly, even lower than had been expected.