My friend has a collection of original art by a highly-collectible
animation artist. This art is NOT owned by any studio, but is the
free-and-clear original artist’s work. She is looking to offer this
artist’s work for sale through the Web in two formats:
original works and limited edition prints of these original works.
Can you help us find the answers to the following?
a. At what fraction of the original cost should she offer the limited
editions?
b. What is the “optimal” number (or upper-end limit) of limited
edition pieces should she offer in order to preserve the “cachet”? |
Request for Question Clarification by
thx1138-ga
on
10 Sep 2002 12:54 PDT
Hello again prpro! and thank you for the question.
Having worked on your question for the past two and a half hours I
have come to the conclusion that it is not possible to give you a $100
answer without knowing the artist, or what the subject matter of the
limited edition is.
Anyway, so that my research doesn´t go to waste here are the results:
To answer the first part of your question:
a. At what fraction of the original cost should she offer the limited
editions?
"4) How do the prices compare?
Original Animation Art:
Most of our pieces range from $50 - $10,000. The majority are in the
$500-$3000 range. Drawings are generally 1/4- 1/6 the price of cels.
Limited Editions:
Most pieces are between around $250 (sericel) and $5000 (Disney's
Seven Dwarfs Ltd.). They generally run around $600-$1000+ for Warner
Bros., $500-$2000+ for Hanna-Barbera, and $1500-$3000 + for Disney.
An argument we've heard for purchasing Limiteds is, "It would be very
expensive to find this pose in original animation..." This is
sometimes, but not necessarily true. We suggest you explore all
options before making your purchase. For example, we recently sold a
one-of-a-kind Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty (1959) production cel
for $4200, while the Disney Store sold a similar pose in a Limited
Edition for $3400.
I particularly have difficulty in seeing the logic of purchasing the
limiteds of new series when it is relatively easy to acquire the
original art at a very similar price- Batman (Fox version), Simpsons,
Ren and Stimpy, Beavis and Butthead."
http://www.animationartgallery.com/alimitedcomparison.html
To answer the second part of your question:
b. What is the “optimal” number (or upper-end limit) of limited
edition pieces should she offer in order to preserve the “cachet”?
Generally the number of pieces in a limited edition are determined by
the demand for the pieces, and the demand for the pieces is determined
by:
a.) Who the artist is
b.) The subject of the print
c.) The number of pieces in the limited edition
d.) The reputation of the publisher/studio
ORIGINAL ANIMATION ART vs. LIMITED EDITIONS
Usually anywhere from 1 of 250 to 1 of 2500 (usual sizes of editions).
http://www.animationartgallery.com/alimitedcomparison.html
The other thing to remember is the question of copyright, the status
of which was not clear in your question. Ofcourse you MUST ensure
that you have the copyright permission of the copyright holder whether
that be the artist or whoever. The fact that someone owns an original
piece of art does not mean that the piece of art can be freely
reproduced.
I hope this helps a little.
THX1138
|
Clarification of Question by
prpro-ga
on
10 Sep 2002 14:01 PDT
Thanks, thx1138! This addresses precisely what I was seeking and
gives me some "wiggle room" as far as determining pricing. Your
answers are very helpful. And yes, the copyrights are owned outright
by the seller; there is no problem with status of ownership.
|
Clarification of Question by
prpro-ga
on
10 Sep 2002 14:05 PDT
OH, thx1138 -- the artist is a Disney animator; the nature of the
work, however, is not anything owned by Disney or production work, but
is "similar" in nature. The subject matter is typically children's
fairy tale kinda stuff...
|
Request for Question Clarification by
thx1138-ga
on
10 Sep 2002 14:21 PDT
Hi prpro,
I´m so glad that the information was what you were looking for.
Should I post the request for clarification as the answer? or can I
help you further with this question?
Best Regards
THX1138
|
Clarification of Question by
prpro-ga
on
28 Sep 2002 08:47 PDT
THX1138, I am so sorry for not having responded earlier. Based on the
info I gave below, can we zero in on some more specific information,
such as the costs of other original works (not Disney-related) by
other Disney animators as sold online or in auctions, etc?
|
Request for Question Clarification by
thx1138-ga
on
29 Sep 2002 10:42 PDT
Hello prpro.
"I am so sorry for not having responded earlier." No problem :)
I have started researching ex-Disney artists who currently sell their
own limited edition (Non-Disney) animation art work. I will
(hopefully!) be able to give you an answer in a couple of days.
Best regards.
THX1138
|
