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Limited Editions
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Whats the story with limited editions?
Just visited an exhibition where a photo I bought in limited edition (I think it was 1 of 20) is being exhibited again. Again it’s stated limited edition of 20 and my signed copy no. 1 is again available.
Also just found this on a website of someone whose photography I admire.
“Limited Editions are only allocated a 100 print run, whereas Open Editions are unrestricted. For Limited Editions, once 100 prints of a particular image have been sold that photograph will no longer be available for purchase as a Limited Edition. This ensures long-term investment value for the buyer. The print, however, will remain available for purchase as an Open Edition.
Am I missing something or is this whole thing a scam??
T.
hiya, here’s a thread where i got an answer to the same question and some great links, https://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?p=152055&highlight=exhibition#152055
and also http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/selling-questions.shtml
is the print on sale again the same size as the one you already bought? if so, it sounds a bit sus to me but there could be a logical explanation.
I sell some of my photography as limited edition prints, prior to this I did research on what it means, but there does not seem to be set rules. My gut feeling is that, when a photo is truely a limited edition, it should not be available as a print outside of the size of the edition run, i.e. the complete number of prints available as part of the edition.
Some photographers divide the negative up and include a piece with your photo, this will lessen the chance of another print becoming available, but I think you are still relying on the honesty of the photographer as they may have scanned the negative.
I would suggest you read carefully the CAO (certificate of authenticity) that comes with the photograph, if there is not one then I’d be more wary. My CAOs include as standard the title, size, year, number, print medium and the total edition size, as well as my signature. This information is then replicated on the back of the photograph to ensure they match. Certainly the CAO should clearly state whether the photo will be made available in other sizes as limited editions, which could well be argued are not the same as your edition. I’d also suggest a quick conversation with a private gallery curator on how they prove an item’s authenticity, they may be able to point out a few items you should look out for.
If you have seen another photo with the same number as yours I’d query the photographer and, I hasten to add this is a last port of call, a visit to a solicitor could be in order if you feel you have been mislead, particularly if you have purchased this as an investment.
some photographers offer limited editions of 20, 50….. for EACH PRINTSIZE.
Is the same size of your limited edition print offered again or is it another size?
Same size….not so great. You should talk to the photograper.
Limited means limited. One image, printed 20 times on a special sized paper, sold 20 times. Thats it. Prices can increase for the last few prints but there shouldnt be a “double numbered print”.
To exclude the possibility, that the photographer messed up his books accidentially, i would suggest to look for a talk up front. Otherwise you can get the money back of your unlimited no 1 copy ( ;
Peace
Madeleine
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