Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Biggs" <abiggs@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 4:59 AM
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Editions: Another Dumb Idea...


> I have to agree with the previous posters regarding pricing based on
> number of prints sold. Great idea. I believe Michael Kenna and his
> apprentice Rolfe Horn do this with their pricing. As a side note, Rolfe
> Horn's work is stunning, and a great 'value'. I believe his prints start
> at $450.
>
> Anyway, the whole dealer model really chaps my hide sometimes, and I
> recognize it for what it is. I like to believe that photographers like
> to collect other photographers' work, so I like to frequent galleries in
> my time away from home. So, I strolled into a local gallery here in
> Austin, and saw Saint Ansel's 'Moonrise' print (something like a 40"x50"
> print, or something huge like that) priced at a 'sell your double-wide'
> price of $175,000. Hmmm. But I remember that sized print, signed by AA
> himself, 'normally' sells for $60,000. Hmmmm. Interesting.
>
> But don't we want it both ways? In a way, we are collectors ourselves.
> No, I cannot afford huge Ansel prints, but I do like to collect prints.
>
> I am very fond of the escalating pricing model. It rewards the early
> adopters, so to speak, and when the prints start circulating, the price
> starts rising.
>
> My $.02

The escalating pricing model is very nice. I haven't observed it here in
Europe but in a way the same thing happens when an artist becomes better
known. As long as the print is defined as being part of a limited edition
and that edition is really the only one or defined as being part of an
unlimited  edition it sure is a good concept. Nothing unethical and a good
marketing model.

Ernst