Posted by Peter (213.84.198.104) on January 26, 2006 at 22:35:14:
Hello all,
Does anyone know what the Watanabe "Gift" seal is really about?
What I was able to glean from the "readily available" information, is conflicting in it's nature:
E.g. prints bearing that seal are described as (among other things):
- "rare" but not per definition "extra-valuable" as such (???)
- "likely" used on prints intended as gifts , but not necessarily (only) on prints of exceptional quality(???)
To address ONLY the above two points [ more arguments were offered ], my logic suggests that:
a) "rare prints" have by definition (all other things considered) a "stronger market value" than their more readily available counterparts ...
b) "gifts" are (if anything) likely to be of above-average quality (especially from a renowed publisher like Watanabe, whose prints to this day rank among the more desirable/appreciated. (where possible, the opposite is more likely, i.e. the best prints available are/were reserved as gifts, for - friends, businness-partners - whoever!!! ) One only has to consider Surimono as (often) "consigned gifts". They were of best quality and hardly surprisingly : "not by accident".
best regards,
Peter
best