About Ben Mahmoud Expertise Questions regarding "the business of the arts (ie.artist/dealer relations).
Questions regarding the collecting of contemporary art.
Please keep in mind that I am not a professional appraiser, however, I can direct interested parties to sources of information.
Experience 40 years as professor of art, Northern Illinois University
Curator of University Art Collection (responsible for purchase and care).
Member of the board of directors, Illinois Arts Council.
Juror of many competitions.
See vitae: http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Publications Many conference proceedings.
"Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era" with William Dunning, Syracuse University Press, 2000.
Education/Credentials MFA, Ohio University, 1960
Awards and Honors See vitae: http://http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Question I have a numbered (122/200), signed, black-and-white print of Manhattan by Tony Graham. It does not have "Manhattan" on the print but is the same image as color poster I've seen on the Internet titled "Manhattan!!" by Tony Graham. My print has copywrite date of 1977 as part of the image in lower right. It was purchased by my now deceased brother-in-law in NYC in late 1970's. How can I value it?
Answer For some strange reason, I have answered this question earlier today. I guess it got lost in cyberspace.
OK, so you have a print by Tony Graham. It is the 122nd print from an edition of 200. The fact that it is the 122nd print has no effect on the value. The size of the edition does.
But the most important factor is what people are willing to pay for this print.
Graham died in 1992, and that ended the production of his original prints. However, interested parties can buy the plates or stone and reproduce as many prints as they wish, but yours is numbered. That is good. However, you did not indicate that it was signed by Graham. That is a negative (if it is not signed in pencil below the image).
I have come across a Graham print (in color, 11" x 14"): the price was $10.00. However, the Manhattan print is one of his most popular.
I have found an ink and watercolor work by Graham that was estimated to sell between $50 and $75. It sold for $25. Now, this is a one of a kind work. It is a fundamental aspect of the art commerce that a one of a kind work is worth more than a print.
I have come across a Graham color print of "Manhattan." I don't recall the sales price, but I was surprised at what it sold for: something under $50, as I recall.
I am sorry to be the bearer of such bleak tidings, but you asked, and I simply gave you the facts that I have gleaned. Please do not kill the messenger.
