Alfred Hair appraisal

A ridiculous appraisal will not help you sell your painting on eBay.

A realistic appraisal might not, either.

Copy/pasted from the eBay listing:

"This is an original Alfred Hair painting. Mr. Hair was the original highwayman and was killed in a bar fight when in his 20's. More can be found on him on Google by typing in his name. This painting was valued at $2500.00 and as high as $6500.00 fully restored."


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280606655438&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

addendum 02/03/11

OK, boys and girls, if this posting is still available when you stumble upon my exciting blog, you can see that the seller, with all his shared "knowledge" of the value of this piece, started the bidding at $1700.00. It attracted attention, certainly, as would any original "fast painting" by such a famous deceased artist as Alfred Hair. It did not attract any bids, however.

And, what the hell, as long as I'm picking on this attempted transaction, despite the fact that Gary Monroy sold all those books titled " Harold Newton, the Original Highwayman", and despite the fact that Antiques and Art Around Florida published my article on the discovery of a painting by Newton and titled it (for me) "The Original Highwayman's Self Portrait Discovered and Sold", and despite the fact that Harold Newton met and worked with Backus before Hair was introduced to the old Beanster, this seller "enhanced" his listing by trumping all that and deciding that Alfred Hair was "the original highwayman".

Sheesh. How did THAT work out for him ?

The seller went fishing, but caught nothing. Ebay made money. End of story.

highwaymen art summary 2010

I'm feeling lazy and I need a few days off. Both of those things.
I'm just linking you to the other blog, something to read about, if you got a mind to.

http://highwaymenart.blogspot.com/

Merrry Christmas and Happy New Year.

2011 has to be better, doesn't it ?

Harold Newton, early or late ?

This is an interesting Harold, especially if you like action. Looks like a hurricane.

True to life, hurricanes are not especially colorful.

Howevah......................The style and colors and the frame he used confirms a later work.

So when Geraghty tells you it's EARLY, do not think it was painted in the 50's or 60's, but possibly in the late 70's, although it looks newer to me. 80's or 90's.

I wasn't there when Harold painted it, so I don't know for sure.
But I HAVE been studying his work for the last 15 years.

I DO believe he priced it fairly, and that's what matters in the end.

Another caveat emptor for your interpretation of eBay descriptions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Highwaymen-Painting-Harold-Newton-highwaymen-ocean-/260709228765?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item3cb37b20dd

H Newton appraisal policy chapter 5 or 6

Maybe this spells it out more clearly than in previous posts ?
You be the judge.

email received and responded to this morning.


Greetings,

I have a painting by H Newton that my dad gave me years ago. He acquired it when he lived in Palm Bay, Fl. It is approximately 18 by 22 and it is in great shape. I have attached some pics. Would you be a buyer? If not, can you direct me to an interested party?

Thank you kindly,


Ed, this is how I do it.

I can appraise paintings by use of images from emails in most cases. Yours are excellent.
I have a pretty good handle on which artists' works exist as prints or giclees, having studied this market since its birth 15 years ago.

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Each highwaymen artist has his own market, with values depending on a multitude of factors, most obviously the scene itself, elements within it, and size.

And although every painting is unique, there exists a lot of repetition.

There are several prices or values for each piece based on many factors.

A liquid price, which means I write a check to you and we're done.
If you choose this option, I return the appraisal fees. This requires physical inspection.
A fair wholesale asking price which is a little higher than what I would pay .
A fair retail price, higher still. What I would expect the market to bear.
What you could expect at auction minus commissions.
And the high retail insurance value I use for the certificates.

Upon payment, I give you these numbers and create the certificates.

There are willing buyers at fair wholesale. Fortunately I know a few.
Retail buyers are more difficult to find. And they are both fickle and picky.
However, there are probably a hundred buyers out there for something with the Harold Newton signature due to his fame on a national level and due to the promotion of getting him listed in various art references.
The two books about him don't hurt, either.

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My specialized knowledge has value.

I found out many years ago that if I give a free appraisal, I'll usually see the painting on eBay within a week and not even get a word of thanks.

Having a keen sense of the obvious, I found that annoying.
So, I adjusted my thinking.

I charge a flat fee of $ 100.00 per painting for appraisals which include a certificate of authenticity, an example of which is on the first website below.

This is a fraction of what you can pay for an appraisal by someone who is accredited by some group with initials, but unfamiliar with the market itself.

More detailed info on how I appraise things can be found in this newspaper article.

http://www.antiqueshoppefl.com/articles/sept10/newton0910.htm

Some people think I'm fair, some don't.

regards and happy holidays.

BOB

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As an addendum, at least I got a fair response, as I'm posting below.

Free appraisals are worth what you pay for them. That's what offers really are.
I have no use for internet bidding wars.

I also believe that passing his information on to others has value.
So, I guess I'll have to turn that request down.

Bob,

Thanks for the reply. I am not in a position to pay money, I need money. That is why I am willing to part with the painting. If you are willing to make me an offer, I am all ears. If not, please pass my information on to others.

Thank you for your time.