Certificate of authenticity

[AngieCoStudios]

I was wondering who issues certificates of authenticity with their work. Do you only issue it with your paintings? Closed-edition prints? Open prints?

And I was also wondering what is the importance of them - what you're opinions are on them.

I'm thinking of including them with my original artworks (I don't yet). But I know that not everyone does this. What would you include in such a certificate?

Thank you!

~Angie

[brienna]

Dear Angie,

Here is some information I found online that might be of help: http://www.wm-arts.com/Information1/certificate_of_authencity.htm

For me personally, I believe my signature on the back proves the authenticity of my work, but if someone requests a certificate I would be happy to create one. To me, though, the artwork should stand on its own, regardless of who's name is backing (i.e., is it valued for its content and aestheticism or is it because the person who created it is more famous). I don't think I've reached the point where I need to even worry about that yet as I'm definitely not famous.

As far as open and limited edition prints, this is my thought behind it. These are not prints that are created by the artist (as in a printmaker, back when the prints would go down in quality each time they were hand printed, hence one of the reasons behind limiting the number), they are reproductions of your work that are mass-produced by a machine. Of course, the less you produce, the more valuable (presumably) each piece will be, but then again most of us haven't reached a point in our careers where our work is pulling in millions so the difference is slight (in my opinion). If you do a limited edition, you also have to be extremely careful to print only as many as you say you will, otherwise you're losing the trust of your clients. Here is what it comes down to for me (for the artist, open edition prints provide more flexibility for the future, for the collector limited printing is a better investment).

Here is some information I found regarding open and limited edition prints:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6621099_definition-open-edition-print.html

http://blog.pencilplace.com/2010/01/reproducing-two-dimensional-art-open-edition-prints-vs-limited-e...

Hope this is helpful, I will look forward to hearing what others think about it ;o)

hugs,
brienna

[Former_Member]

Hi...

I heard that coa aren't necessary anymore... they don't worth more than the paper is print on. It was only a gallery tactic to impress the collectors.

But you can still used it with limited edition prints.

If I find the link I'll post it.

[brienna]

Excellent PhantasyArtStudio, yes, thank you for looking for the link! I don't know about what's required or what's not, but I just stumbled across the description of what would be in a typical certificate and thought that might be of use. I don't personally use certificates and don't think they're necessary myself ;o), but some collectors do.

Here is another link that was provided on another thread that might shed some light on it as well ;o)

http://www.artbusiness.com/certaut.html

brienna

[brienna]

p.s. though I consider my certificate of authenticity the information I provide on the back of my painting which I personally sign (title, date, my information and website - apparently the info required for a COA from my understanding is up to the artist and this is the information I consider relevant in identifying my work as mine) - for prints, I sign as well, as indicating that I approve of them.

I hope this helps, but I'm not an expert and would love to hear what others have to say on the matter ;o).

brienna

[AngieCoStudios]

Thank you for your help!! These posting definitely help. I think I will stick to just my information on the back as I have been doing the whole time :) - no need to waste paper