Re: Shigenaga and Kunimasa repros?

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Posted by Geoff Dunn on June 19, 2001 at 02:24:31:

In Reply to: Re: Shigenaga repro? posted by John Fiorillo on June 17, 2001 at 19:14:38:

: Geoff,

: I do not know of any originals in the Bay Area, but I don't have a database on such information. These early prints are generally quite rare (many are known in only 1 surviving impression), so you will have to hunt around for an original. Comparing your print with the similar (but different) Shigenaga design in Kikuchi's book is not of much use for authentication, nor are the attributes you cite. Perhaps you could contact the online dealers located in the Bay Area and show them your print. Check the list of dealers on Hans Olof's site (Internet ukiyo-e guide). If they are experienced enough with early ukiyo-e they should be able to offer you an informed opinion. The Butterfield's Auction house also has appraisal clinics, though getting a judgment might require your leaving your print with them for a while until they can show it to one of their consultants.

: If you have an original it would be valuable, both aesthetically and monetarily. The rarity of such prints weighs against its being an original, but perhaps you are fortunate in this case.

: Good luck.

: John

John -

Thanks for the cool link site - it's gonna take me a while to get through it. Took the Shigenaga and some other alleged high-flyers to a knowledgeable dealer in SF you would know and the verdict is probably repro, but inconclusive. A Kionaga diptych of a bath-house was a repro because it had varying shades of blue in it.
Couldn't find the exact Shigenaga or Kunimasa in his library, but we found a similar Kunimasa of the same actor, same head, only mine has the right hand w/index finger flexed, and some other differences in the robe (see pic). Question is raised - Why would a reproduction have features added to it? If you could find the Shigenaga or Kunimasa published anywhere, it would be a great help. Of course, I'd be happy to pop over to Berkeley with them if you ever decide to change your policy. Thanks again,
Geoff Dunn

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: : Geoff, : : I do not know of any originals in the Bay Area, but I don't have a database on such information. These early prints are generally quite rare (many are known in only 1 surviving impression), so you will have to hunt around for an original. Comparing your print with the similar (but different) Shigenaga design in Kikuchi's book is not of much use for authentication, nor are the attributes you cite. Perhaps you could contact the online dealers located in the Bay Area and show them your print. Check the list of dealers on Hans Olof's site (<a href="http://www.bahnhof.se/~secutor/ukiyo-e/guide.html">Internet ukiyo-e guide</a>). If they are experienced enough with early ukiyo-e they should be able to offer you an informed opinion. The Butterfield's Auction house also has appraisal clinics, though getting a judgment might require your leaving your print with them for a while until they can show it to one of their consultants. : : If you have an original it would be valuable, both aesthetically and monetarily. The rarity of such prints weighs against its being an original, but perhaps you are fortunate in this case. : : Good luck. : : John : John - : Thanks for the cool link site - it's gonna take me a while to get through it. Took the Shigenaga and some other alleged high-flyers to a knowledgeable dealer in SF you would know and the verdict is probably repro, but inconclusive. A Kionaga diptych of a bath-house was a repro because it had varying shades of blue in it. : Couldn't find the exact Shigenaga or Kunimasa in his library, but we found a similar Kunimasa of the same actor, same head, only mine has the right hand w/index finger flexed, and some other differences in the robe (see pic). Question is raised - Why would a reproduction have features added to it? If you could find the Shigenaga or Kunimasa published anywhere, it would be a great help. Of course, I'd be happy to pop over to Berkeley with them if you ever decide to change your policy. Thanks again, : Geoff Dunn : <a href"http://communities.msn.com/GeoffsUkiyoe/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10.html">

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