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Mon 24 Oct, 2005 06:36 pm
Hello all, my sister and I went to the Dali exhibit in Philadelphia and were amazed. She was always a fan of Dali, but I was not fully exposed to his work until I saw it in the show. Here is my dilemma. I want to buy my sister a piece of artwork of Dali's, not a poster or cheap reproduction, but a true piece of his work, if that makes any sense. I'm trying to learn all I can about buying art, but I'm getting confused. For example, the term "original," does it mean that it was created by Dali himself, or is this a reproduction of the original? Lithographs are reproductions of originals, but they themselves are original because no two are alike, is that correct? Also, when it says that it was "hand-signed," does this mean he literally signed it, or is it a reproduction of a hand signature? And the big question, how do I know a certificate of authenticity is, well, authentic? I don't have a lot of money, but I think she would absolutely love a genuine piece of his work, even if it's something small like an etching. Any help at all would be EXTREMELY appreciated.
watch Dali especially. There were a lot of prints and blank sheets of paper that he signed before his death. He was being directed to do this by his wife and some scumbags. There are a lot of signed Dali garbage works in pencil and scribbles that have nothing to do with the man. His original oils from his important period (before he went senile) are quiote valuable and Im sure you can see many in the millions of dollars.
Be afraid.
The good news is there is a lot of information of Dali and the value of his work, so you can do research. The bad news is I have heard estimates of up to 90% of what is on the market is near worthless. As farmerman already stated - he signed anything put in front of him in the last part of his life.
I suggest you buy your sister a really beautiful coffee table book of his work and leave the art market to those with more experience. Without deep pockets you are not likely to find an original piece with any value.
I appreciate the replies, but to be honest, I'm not looking at this from an investment point of view. I guess I just want something that will connect her with the artist a little more. I know that if she received something that was actually signed by Dali she would think it was nice. I just can't tell what is really signed by him and what isn't, which COAs are real and which are fake.
For example, something like this:
CLICK HERE I think this piece looks beatiful, and I think my sister would think so as well. It says, "hand signed," with COA. My questions are: 1) Hand signed, as in he signed it himself, or is it a replica of his hand signature? 2) What is the certificate authorizing exactly, that it's an original piece of a series, not a reproduction? Again, I realize these are very very basic question, but I appreciate all the replies and help.
In any good library which contains a good representation of art books you will find a listing of auctioned art and the prices this art has brought...which should give you an good idea of "going rates".
If you are thinking of buying a Dali, I would consider his prints or sketches or small pieces, because those would be the most inexpensive.
I would go to reputable gallery dealers to buy the piece, a dealer who usually handles Dalis on occasion. Since you are now acquainted with "going rates" you would be more able to deal.
If you are really concerned about the authenticity of a piece you have selected, you might for a small sum (and with the approval of the gallery dealer) take the piece to a museum, where a curator knowledgeable in Dali's work, would be able to certify that the piece is an original Dali.
The market is not all too trickey. Every major artist has had fakes/ afters/ unauthorized reproductions/ extended editions/ estate editions etc etc. You just need to work with a reputable resource. I am one. We do not accept anything that the Salvador Dali Archives won't authenticate. See their website at
www.daliarchives.com. Ours is
Edit: Moderator: Website removed, or you may reach me at
[email protected]. The Archives is the #1 source in the world. They wrote the book that all reputable galleries and autioneers use- The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali. The work you pointed out at Ebay was actually a good piece and worth every cent. Galleries have sold that same piece for upwards of $5000. However, I do not reccommend buying on Ebay as there is little to no protection and 8 out of every 10 Dali works listed there is junk.
Beware purchasing any art on E Bay. They are not art dealers and are consistantly getting complaints as they have no real way to determine that the certificates of authenticity are valid. Purchase from a reputable dealer you can speak to over the phone or go into their gallery. If they've not been in business for more than ten years in the same locale(s), I'd be extremely wary.
In the late 80's the FBI was alerted to the fake Dali's, Miro's, Chagall's, et al, and the laws have changed. A gallery selling the artwork cannot re-appraise it, for one important change in the law.
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