Selling to a Dealer:

People contact us regularly wanting
us to purchase their antique prints.
These are some of the suggestions
we give to potential sellers.

Be prepared to do some homework
before contacting a dealer. An email
with the following information is
generally needed to prepare the dealer.

Dos:

a) A clear photo of your item.
b) A close up of signatures, if any.
c) The size of the image.
d) The provenance if available.
e) Any information you may have
    learned about the piece.
Educating yourself is key!

Donts:

a) Do not suggest a retail markup
    price, this is up to the dealer to decide.
b) Do not contact the dealer under the guise
    of asking for an appraisal when your
    intent is to sell the item. You will almost
    never make a sale to a dealer doing this.
c) Do not suggest comparables unless you
    have expert knowledge in this area.

Selling to a dealer can be a positive experience
and a good learning exercize for both parties.





Pochoir Prints--So popular today!

Pochoir prints were stenciled art works popularized in the the 1920s and 1930s.
Paint was applied to the openings of the template, brush marks were often evident.

Even though pochoirs from the 1920s are not NEW, they feel FRESH! The explosion
of colours and mixing of designs is right on TREND. We see them featured on blogs
and on Pinterest all the time.

Pochoir prints can easily be mixed with contempory works of art. Their strength of
image compliments other mediums. A set of 2 or more usually works best to create
a statement wall. A set of six creates the WOW factor.

FRAMING YOUR POCHOIRS

Frame simply. These images speak for themselves, frames should not dominate.
White mats and  white frames work well as do black or muted silver frames also
with white mats. Do not forget to add ultra-violet control glass to prevent fading.


     

This is a set of 4 Benedictus pochoir prints (c1920) with a modern large monoprint.
Mixing the old with the new is possible and gives a very dramatic look.

Benedictus Pochoir Prints

 Introducing our NEWEST series of prints!

Vibrant pochoir prints by Edouard Benedictus (1879-1930).
This multitalented French designer and artist produced 'Nouvelles Variations' in 1925 Paris, 20 plates illustrating 75 decorative designs for textiles and wallpapers. The colours are vibrant and dense. Many are highlighted with gold and silver paints.
Benedictus drew inspiration from the raging Art Deco period,
Cubism and general deconstruction of images to basic, block like patterns.
See the entire collection at www.LeggePrints.com

UPCOMING POST:

How to frame pochoir prints.

Framing Your Valuables--What to Ask the Framer

If your item has a high monetary or sentimental value it is wise to find a framer with years of experience. Also ask the framer to outline their work plan before the job begins.

Here are four questions you should be asking before the framer before hiring.

1. How will my item be mounted or suspended?  Improper techniques can cause irreversable   damage such as breakage or slippage. All items should be removable from mounting.

2. What type of backers or glass will be used?  In many cases non-acidic backers and ultra-violet control glass are necessary to prevent fading and acidification of papers and objects.

3. What steps are needed to complete the plan?  Does the item need specialist cleaning/stretching or restoration. The individuals providing these services also must be also be expert in their field.

4. How long will the process take?  It is important not to rush the framer as quality work takes time. However most framers will give you a reasonable time frame of 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of your project.

Michael Schumacher wearing his Formula 1 fire suit. His same fire suit after I framed it.

Recap - ARIDO Accredited Events for July

We were excited to be part of another 'Blending Genres' exhibit and weekly symposium series, expertly organised by Marilyn Harding of www.mhArt.ca .   It was located in the Dignam Gallery of the Womens Art Association of Canada, 23 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto.

Photographs of the hanging of the exhibit (the hard work) and of the Open House on July 04 (the fun part) are by photographer Anne Launcelott. Check her out at www.eyemindcamera.com .

Anne's photographs were on display at the WAAC along with Anthony Batten, Linda Kemp,

Lynn Bertrand plus our own rare 1920 pochoir prints.

Each artist gave their own individual presentations finishing with a talk by Nicholas Legge from our gallery, discussing 'The Frame: Art in Context '.

Amazing New York Weekend !

We left Toronto last Friday for a fabulous weekend in NYC.
We flew Porter airlines for the first time and it was fantastic- flight was on time !

The view of Toronto as we
boarded the ferry to the airport.










The Phillips Club on the upper west side was our home base for the 2 days
while we explored the city. The Phillips Club is located next to the Lincoln Centre and the
New York Ballet which made it ideal !



The Lincoln Centre for the Arts


The Phillips Club Lobby

 On our list of sites to visit was the Guggenheim for a wonderful show of Francesca Woodman's

photographs.

 The beautiful Guggenheim Museum.
Frank Lloyd Wright's spiral masterpiece!

       Francesca Woodman self portrait. A beautiful, but disturbed young woman who set the standard in photographic excellence.

Lunch on Sunday was on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Check out this view !

 What would it be to visit NYC and not go to Central Park? Opened in 1847 and contains
843 Acres of open space to wander about and explore.
And what would NYC be without doing some necessary shopping?

The trip ended far too soon - maybe we will be there next April for the rare book fair.

Exclusive Spring Events

Marilyn Harding Art in association with Elisabeth Legge Gallery
We were delighted to be participants in
the annual Hadassah Art Show, May 23 in Toronto.
120 women visited our gallery (4 bus loads) to see our presentation
"Blending Genres", a display of contemporary and
antique art work. Artists featured, Anthony Batten, Linda Kemp and
Lynn Bertrand.  A portion of our sales was donated to the
NOAR Chapter of Hadassah.

The next evening we held a talk sponsored by the Interior Designers of Canada

entitled "Is It Worth The Paper It's Printed On?". This first in a series of art professional

talks was given by antique print dealers Elisabeth and Nicholas Legge. They discussed

the history and evolution of antique and rare prints with emphasis on the nature of

papers, process and techniques of authenticating genuine antiqe prints. Our

evaluation at the end of the talk was 'EXCELLENT'!

Shown from left to right, artist Lynn Bertrand, Elisabeth Legge, designer
Georgia Tannis, designer Victoria Shaw and Marilyn Harding. These were just
few of our designers that stayed afterwards for bubbly and nibbles.


Fianally, Blending Genres Open House, Saturday May 26,  we enjoyed an informal
afternoon with artists Anthony Batten, Linda Kemp and  Lynn Bertrand. We were
pleased with the turnout of over 70 people at advertised event.

Wait for our next post about our trip to NYC next weekend!