Notes on Collecting

I often joke that art dealers are collectors that cannot afford the collection, or frustrated artists that lack real talent. Art dealers, we are taught to believe, are gifted in their ability to influence tastes and trends, and to guide collectors to that special work that "just fits" within their collection. As many a curator has said before...it is often the collector that guides market, which in turn influences the dealer to seek out that special thing. Every now and then, through my position as a dealer (if you hadn't already guessed), I am struck by the degree to which collectors drive the market. I have just acquired the exclusive rights, as agent, to a remarkable art collection, assembled over a 50 year span, of paintings, prints and drawings...that in so many ways reflect all that is wonderful about the true joy of collecting - something that I think all readers and posters to this blog share. The most remarkable aspect of the collection, works aside, is the extent to which the couple catalogued their own collection. Each work has its own notecard (pre-excel days), that lists all of the relevant catalogue information, including source, acquistion date, price and subsequent offerings of the same or similar work on the market. This information has given me a tremendous insight into the market of their interests, which in turn has given me countless ideas of how to market their work. Indeed, there are already three gallery shows planned around the "r" collection. I hope that this re-presentation of the collection, seen through the dealer's eye, will enhance the stature of the collection, make their children proud, and share with other collectors the great joys that this couple so cherished. To learn more about another great collector, please click here. r