Aloha,
Happy new year!
Firstly I have just registered to the forum after many. months of enjoying the site, and Give a warm hello to all the members, as I have truly enjoyed the posts here!
At any rate I have been in the art business for ten years, eight of those years as a publisher. I have taken a number of artists from ground zero to national exhibition status.
My first post!
OK, here goes,
1. Can a given image be offered in Limited Edition as well as Open Edition?
You can distort the limited edition concept in just about any way you want by offering the image in different sizes and media, this of course is done by many publishers. Doing this is not a good idea since it kind of defeats the idea of limited editions. It is a slippery slope and should not be gone down for reasons that are obvious.
2. Does each image/print size become a separate Limited Edition, or is it total number of prints of all sizes must not exceed the edition limit?
There is a document that is required by many states called a "disclosure"
on this document a number of legal points in regard to the edition are put forth, such as;
the artist
the title
the media
the process used to make the print
the date the edition was released
whether the edition was proofed and approved by the artist
whether the edition was signed by the artist
description of signature and numbering
number of pieces in the edition and size or sizes
disposition of plates, masters
total size of the edition
this is a basic list, if you take the time to make a simple disclosure giving these facts you will pretty much be covered.
In the disclosure when you list the size or sizes and different media you are pretty much locking in what you can do and still be within the law.
you can do a search to find out if there are more items that need to be placed in the disclosure form, but this is what I place in all of my disclosures...
the last two items i listed is where you would list all the various sizes that would be included in the edition; each "sub-edition."
example;
24x 36 inches on rag paper numbered 1/100 to 100/100
20 x 30 inches on rag paper numbered 1/100 to 100/100
8x10 inches numbered 1/500 to 500/500
Roman numeral edition numbered 1/200
granddaddy's big fat edition numbered 1/2000 to 2000/2000
Artist proofs numbered 1/10000 to 10000
kid's collage fund edition numbered 1/100000 to 100000/100000
and on and on...
at some point you will need to add all the edition sizes and names and state the total number of pieces done on your disclosure.
3. Is there a "preferred" size for a Limited Edition - 25 or 100 or xx?
proffered edition size by the collector is one
proffered edition size by greedy publishers is 10000 or more! all hidden away in a long disclosure that also stated the artist/publisher may choose to print more at any time they feel like it.
It is an open field as long as you specifically state what you are doing in the disclosure...
What makes sense for me and why;
I typically release limited edition prints of my artists work in edition sizes of 100 with 10 artists proofs and 10 printers proofs and 5 HC
for a total of 125 pieces
The HC edition is given to the artists and is technically not to be sold.
For my own photographs I release editions of 50 with 5 artists proofs (proofs of 10% of the edition size are normal)
I only release an image in one size.
When 20% of the edition is sold the price for the piece is increased
and as the edition "sells through" the price is increased along the way.
typically a nearly sold out piece commands many times the price that it was released at.
And the last piece hanging on the wall of the gallery is very dear indeed!
When I release a limited edition work I am adhering to very strict principles that protect my collectors and my reputation
I am making a collectible item, its value its determined as much by simple laws of supply and demand.
I have been involved with artists pieces that where released in edition for $1500 and have then sold out for $50,000 and then went on to have secondary market resale values for even more. Do not underestimate the power of limited editions, handled correctly with integrity, it can be a win win situation for both you and your collectors.
I never release open edition pieces.
If I want to do larger editions I would release a smaller piece, I have done small prints of artists work (10 x 14 inches)with edition sizes of 1000 that where released for around $300 and sold out at $4500
heady stuff!
I can not say what would work for you, if you want to do limited editions make sure you are honest and remember you are staking your reputation as an artist on what you do.
set your edition size to benefit your collectors.
Starting out with small editions of 50-100 is good or even smaller, sell some work, sell out a few pieces as you sell more you can expand the sizes of your new pieces.
keeping track of editions is very easy, I have a book with where each piece is titled with a column of numbers that corresponds to the edition size and each time a print is signed and numbered I write this down next to the number.
(do this right away or you will screw it up!)
Each time a piece is ready to be released I make a disclosure and a simple certificate for the piece which I give to the gallery or collector that buys the piece, doesn't matter what format you choose, do something that looks nice and gives all the information about the work.
I love what I do, and respect each person that supports my work, that is a patron of the arts. I in turn try to offer them something of critical value; my honesty.
I don't see anything wrong with open editions; lot easier!
Ether way give people the best that you can.
Ok My dog is seriously telling me it is beach time!
warmest regards,
Lee
Lahaina, Hawaii