Question for litho and Giclees collectors

marvelboi77 · 10-19-2005, 08:14 PM

Hey as you guys know I am a big fan of original art. I question whether the prices on all of these new litho's are worth it given that they are reproductions? I can understand somewhat why Giclees are the price they are but they still seem high. But the new Alex Ross Justice League Litho on paper is $750 good god. I would like to have the Alex Ross New Avengers Litho but I would not pay that kind of price for it. I remember when I could get a Litho of the X-men by Alex Ross signed by ****rum and Ross and a Headsketch of Phoenix by ****rum for $150. Give it to me straight guys on the worth of these.

badlieut · 10-19-2005, 08:23 PM

In my opinion, they are worth it. But I think that's just it, it has to be your opinion on the worth. I get a lot of enjoyment out of collecting the lithos and giclees. The canvas editions are as close to original paintings by these artists that I'm ever going to have.

HFA · 10-19-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelboi77

Hey as you guys know I am a big fan of original art. I question whether the prices on all of these new litho's are worth it given that they are reproductions? I can understand somewhat why Giclees are the price they are but they still seem high. But the new Alex Ross Justice League Litho on paper is $750 good god. I would like to have the Alex Ross New Avengers Litho but I would not pay that kind of price for it. I remember when I could get a Litho of the X-men by Alex Ross signed by ****rum and Ross and a Headsketch of Phoenix by ****rum for $150. Give it to me straight guys on the worth of these.

This can be covered in a number of ways, but firstly you are comparing Dynamic Forces lithos on a "lesser" paper stock to a reproduction where the license holders actually have access to the original art and can replicate it perfectly on FINE ART PAPER or CANVAS so it will actually last well beyond our lifetimes.

Another explanation is simple ratios. Many "comic book artists" sell their painted originals for not much more than an Alex Ross giclee. But this is Alex Ross we're talking about. This original sold anywhere from 50K-100K! Knowing this, $750-$1200 or so for a gorgeous paper or canvas "reproduction" doesn't sound bad, does it?

Again (and I've said this before)...LICENSING costs are built in. When Dynamic Forces was shoveling out prints left and right on cheaper 80lb card stock paper, he was printing a million of them to keep his cost down, and hardly paying the artists anything for their signatures. Times have changed a bit. Clampett chooses to cater to a "higher end" market, which unfortunately excludes many collectors. At the same time, though, the quality is consistently high, and the pieces are EXTREMELY limited...only 250 on paper and 100 on canvas...that's supposed to cover the whole world! This also helps the secondary market. If items are that limited, eventually there is nowhere for the value to go but up.

You'll see momentary lulls and a few flukes on ebay now and again, but everything in cyclical. Ross pieces have stayed pretty darn steady over the last 6 years or so.

I hope that helps (at least a little). Then again, you can always buy a poster of the image for $20-$40 (you know, the ones that "crinkle" the minute you take them out of the plastic, and sometimes before??).

HFA · 10-19-2005, 08:51 PM

Forgot to add: besides this being a fine art giclee reproduction (versus a "lithograph"), this is probably 3 TIMES BIGGER than the litho by DF you were referring to.

marvelboi77 · 10-19-2005, 11:57 PM

Good to know thanks, do you still have the New Avengers one with Spider-Woman?

HFA · 10-20-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelboi77

Good to know thanks, do you still have the New Avengers one with Spider-Woman?

Yes...I think I still have the litho in inventory. The litho is $400 framed, which is still a bargain because it is HUGE, and if you buy it unframed, even a "cheap" frame would cost an arm and a leg since it is over-sized. Feel free to PM or email me and I can give you some options. It is offered unframed as well for $200 or so, but honestly (if you have a place to put it) you are better off with it already framed, IMHO!

**Bullseye** · 10-20-2005, 03:53 AM

I think you should pay the extra couple of hundred and get the canvas.

Sam Wilson · 10-20-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFA

Yes...I think I still have the litho in inventory. The litho is $400 framed, which is still a bargain because it is HUGE, and if you buy it unframed, even a "cheap" frame would cost an arm and a leg since it is over-sized. Feel free to PM or email me and I can give you some options. It is offered unframed as well for $200 or so, but honestly (if you have a place to put it) you are better off with it already framed, IMHO!

yeah, wktf dana p. and I all saw this one at WW. Boston. It was pretty damn sweet, I must admit .

Holding out for that Hughes WW one though...

**nbr3bagshotrow** · 10-20-2005, 09:39 AM

Funny how this question quite often comes up, but many wouldn't hesitate a minute to buy a statue/bust for upwards of $1,000 (e.g. Silver Surfer MB) which is a duplicate of the original sculpt, much like a giclee is a duplicate of the original painting. One is in 3 dimensions and one is in 2.

We have all seen lesser quality recasts of the Bowen Batman on gargoyle, and the quality difference between these recasts and the Graphitti Designs pieces is obvious. The difference between a giclee (either canvas or paper) is also vastly superior to a poster or litho.

HFA · 10-20-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Wilson

yeah, wktf dana p. and I all saw this one at WW. Boston. It was pretty damn sweet, I must admit .

Holding out for that Hughes WW one though...

Don't hold your breath, though...DC is almost impossible to work with. I've been trying for almost 3 years! Why do you think all my exclusives are MARVEL pieces thus far??