Posted by Peter Gallagher (213.84.198.104) on October 05, 2004 at 23:24:58:
In Reply to: japanese wood block print posted by joannelevin@optonlin on October 05, 2004 at 19:32:11:
You coull try bringing it to a reputable art dealer or art gallery for a verbal (uncommitted) appraisal. Most dealers/galleries would likely do this without any charge, but it would not be in-depth.
Even so, that should give you a rough idea.
A written appraisal would likely take time and you should expect to be charged for it.
You could also try identifying the artist via the link to signatures available on this site.
Or you could try posting a picture here for the readers to see and hopefully help you.
Please do remember that if you do locate the artist on your own: the actual condition of the print is very important to its value - in much the same way (if you don't mind me saying so), that that a rare Model-T Ford car, if found rotting away in some old barn is not likely worth a fortune if it is almost completely rusted away ...
I'm not trying to be negative - on the contrary - but it could be unnecessarily disheartening should you discover that (from the signature alone) your print is by a famous artist only to discover later that it is not worth the financial fortune you thought it might be.
In which case the old clichee applies of "love it for what it is - not what it's worth" :-)
Hope this helps.
Peter