What Makes Limited Edition Art Valuable?


Limited edition art is simply what the name implies. An artist agrees with a publisher to produce an image in a certain size and edition number for sale to the public (for example 1000 signed and numbered and 100 artist proofs). When the publisher has sold all of the available prints to galleries, the edition is considered sold out.

Depending on the subject matter, the popularity of the artist, and the medium utilized, the prints will then go up or down in value according to supply and demand. Generally smaller edition sizes are more desirable to collectors. When a print is released in several image sizes and mediums (paper, canvas, serigraphs, giclée, etc.) the print may not seem as rare to collectors, this will generally but not always drive the price down on the secondary market. In the recent years many artist have begun to reduce their edition sizes to help collectors realize more value in their art purchases. Limited edition prints are signed by the artist and sequentially numbered so the art buyer may be assured his piece is authentic. A certificate of authenticity is usually included with the print and should be kept by the art buyer for insurance purposes. It also will aid in getting the print replaced should something happen to it later. Many publishers will replace a print for a charge if a print is destroyed in shipping, moving, storm or otherwise, if the buyer has a certificate of authenticity for the print and can offer proof of the destruction of the original print.

For more information about prints and art mediums, be sure to check our Glossary of Art Terms.