The Art of Collecting American Prints | |
Page 2Some other vintage notables to watch for are R. Atkinson Fox, Wallace Nutting, David Davidson, Fred Thompson and Charles Sawyer. Any of these names will prove to be valuable acquisitions for your collection should you run across them at bargain prices. Of course, there are many, many newer reproductions of popular American prints on the market today. Prints by both Parrish and Gutman are widely available through new print dealers as well. If you’d rather not invest in an old piece, a reproduction frames up just as nicely. In fact, you can find reproduction prints like these at garage sales and thrift stores for a lot less than an original print with a little persistence.One thing to consider when purchasing a newer unframed print, however, is the cost of framing. Sometimes you can buy an old print in an antique frame, which will retain its value better than a new one, for about the same amount as professional archieval framing will cost. If you’d rather stick to the older prints and buying big names frightens you a little, don't worry. The old stand-by adage of buying what you like holds true here, too. There are lots of gorgeous prints available that weren't created by notable artists, like some of the cottage prints mentioned earlier. These were created using the same lithograph and early offset color printing methods for a distinctive vintage look and sell for a fraction of the big name prices. Even yard long prints, which actually measure about a yard long and 11 inches or so wide, remain popular with collectors. Whether it's a yard of chrysanthemums or a yard of kittens, these lovely prints add a nice splash of vintage charm when decorating a room. If it's been a while since you added a new artistic accent to your home, consider an older print the next time you're browsing an antique shop. It might be just what you needed to brighten a neglected wall while imparting the welcome warmth of yesteryear. |
| ~ Pamela Wiggins |
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