THE IMPORTANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

Limited Edition works of art are valuable because the number of prints produced is limited to a small number. The limited number available, combined with the reputation and popularity of the artist, means that the piece can increase in value over time. There are many high-quality Open Edition Art Prints that are very desirable and attractive pieces but once purchased, they cease to have any real monetary worth. Limited Editions, on the other hand, have the potential to increase in value because of their rarity, but the owner of such a piece must have proof that it is indeed a Limited Edition otherwise the work would have no more worth than an Open Edition print of a similar quality.

There are some easy steps to follow to ensure a Limited Edition is authentic. If you cannot satisfy yourself on all these points then you should consider it a risk to buy the art work.

1. Ask questions about where and how the seller acquired the work of art before you buy it. All reputable galleries and publishers would be happy to supply these details.
2. View the Certificate of Authenticity before you buy the art. If the art is for sale online then request that a copy of the complete certificate (front and back, if appropriate) is emailed to you. All reputable galleries and publishers would be glad to comply with such a request.
3. If the wording on the Certificate of Authenticity contains any conditional statements, for example "in our opinion..." or "thought to be..." then this is an indication that this piece of Limited Edition art is probably not genuine.
4. A Certificate of Authenticity is unacceptable if it does not show adequate contact information about the publisher – Full Name, Postal Address AND Telephone Number are required as a minimum; website and email address are optional depending on the age of the work of art.
5. Do not accept as genuine a Certificate of Authenticity that contains any incomplete or illegible sections.
6. Limited Editions by famous artists are documented in books called Catalogues Raisonné. So if you are considering buying a Limited Edition by a well-known artist and a Catalogue Raisonné exists for that artist, then the relevant catalogue number for the work of art must be noted on the Certificate of Authenticity.

WHO SHOULD SUPPLY THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY?

A legitimate Certificate of Authenticity will always be supplied with the art work and will always originate from either the artist or the fine art publisher of the piece. Be very cautious about buying Limited Edition Art Prints if a Certificate of Authenticity is not available or if the seller suggests posting it to you at a later date.

Unfortunately, there is abuse in the Certificate of Authenticity business but if the certificate is supplied with the art work from a reputable gallery or publisher or, of course, directly from the artist then you can have confidence that it is valid.

What is a Certificate of Authenticity?

A Certificate of Authenticity is a legal document that guarantees that a Limited Edition work of art is entirely genuine; that the number of prints stated for the edition size is never exceeded and that the reproduction is created to a certain standard by a reputable art publisher. A legitimate Certificate of Authenticity will always be signed by the artist if he/she is living, or otherwise by the artist's representative, and must contain the following specific details about the art work:

* Title of the art work
* Dimensions
* Name of the artist
* Release date of the edition
* Edition number and size (e.g. 1/150)
* Substrate medium and ink types used
* Method of production (e.g. giclée)
* Name of the Publisher (can be the same as the artist)
* Full postal address of the publisher
* Publisher's telephone number
* Publisher's website and email address (if appropriate)

Certificates should also contain some wording to confirm the authenticity of Limited Edition Art Prints such as:

"This numbered edition is from an authentic limited publication. It is produced using the giclée method of digital printing to Fine Art Trade Guild standards.

To ensure the integrity of the edition, the publisher affirms that the edition size will not be exceeded. The artist and publisher affirm the authenticity of this limited edition with this certificate."

CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY FOR ORIGINAL ART WORKS

When buying an original work of art, a Certificate of Authenticity is not necessary to prove that the piece is genuine. A receipt or proof of purchase from the artist, the gallery or the publisher is sufficient.

Buying Limited Edition Art

As a fine art publisher I have often been asked what are the advantages to buying Limited Edition Art? Some buyers worry about the authenticity and quality of the print and whether it will be a good financial investment.

But providing you buy from a reputable gallery or dealer and receive a Certificate of Authenticity at the time of purchase then you can be confident that the quality of the prints will be the very best and that it is an authentic piece of work.

Remember that even the most famous artists of the past 50 years have created Limited Edition Art Prints of their work and these should never be regarded as an inferior substitute for an original work of art but rather a way to enjoy a piece of exceptional art in your own home. Collectors buy Limited Editions because they want to own exceptional pieces of art but cannot afford originals of the same artistic quality.

But what about the investment potential of a Limited Edition? Well, I always advise against buying an artwork with a view to its value increasing. The art market can be fickle in uncertain economic times and even works by great masters such as Van Gogh have been known to lose value during depressed periods in the art market. Instead, I would always advise buying only those pieces that you love and that will bring you enjoyment for many years. If the value happens to increase (and you only have to looks at Jack Vettriano's Limited Editions to know that they can) then that really is an added bonus to the years of pleasure that an exceptional piece of art can bring.

For more insight read this article: Advantages of Limited Edition Art