Original Artwork Collectors?
Chris
site selling some and I was considering picking up a few pieces. Am I correct
in assuming that if I own page 14 of Amazing Spider-Man #26 (I haven't actually
seen that I'm just picking something at random for this example) that I would
be the only one in the world that owns it? In other words, whatever Marvel has
would just be a copy of the original that I, and I alone, own?
Given the sad economic state of comics today, that probably sounds a lot cooler
than it actually is. I wouldn't buy any of these pieces as an investment in
other words. Still, it would be nice to actually own something that one of my
favorite artists sat down and penciled (if that is actually what they're
selling).
A couple of questions though. Any help would be appreciated:
1) From what I gather, it is the artists themselves that are selling these
pieces. How can they do this? If it's a drawing of Spider-Man, doesn't Marvel
legally get a cut of the profits? For that matter, shouldn't they own the
original?
2) How do you guys display your pieces? Do you store them away in a safe
somewhere, get them framed, put it up in the fridge?
3) Anybody care to recommend a good site to buy original art? I'm particularly
interested in Salvador Larroca pieces.
Thanks in advance everybody!
-Chris
Stuart Reid
I've been collecting art for a little over two years now. Being in
Australia, I find it hard ( not only on my wallet ;) ) to find really nice
pieces for the right price. However, I have a reasonable collection of a
bunch of pages and commissions which I like. I put up a sample gallery at
http://www.sydney.net/~reids/art1.html if you're interested.
Anyways, to answer your questions:-
> Just wondering if anybody on this board collected original artwork? I saw
a
> site selling some and I was considering picking up a few pieces. Am I
correct
> in assuming that if I own page 14 of Amazing Spider-Man #26 (I haven't
actually
> seen that I'm just picking something at random for this example) that I
would
> be the only one in the world that owns it? In other words, whatever Marvel
has
> would just be a copy of the original that I, and I alone, own?
It really depends on a few things. Firstly if the inker has inked over the
actualy pencils ( and not a photocopy, etc. ) then yes this would be the
only one in existence. However, there may be a couple of printing proofs,
inked copies, penciled copies, etc. Regardless you can be pretty sure you
have one of a *REALLY* limited collection
> 1) From what I gather, it is the artists themselves that are selling these
> pieces. How can they do this? If it's a drawing of Spider-Man, doesn't
Marvel
> legally get a cut of the profits? For that matter, shouldn't they own the
> original?
Well, yes and no :) Marvel owns the rights to the character featured,
Spider-Man to use your example, and legally they do deserve some of the
profits. Having said that however, from what I can gather, companies don't
have the inclination to bother picking up what's owed to them from these
types of sales as it's not worth the time or the effort. A lot of artists
have their pages returned to them by the company which is why you will see a
lot of them selling the art. As well, a lot of artists are willing to do
commissions. Essentially this is you hiring them to do a piece of art (
normally a one "panel" page ). You will have to pay for it, and the prices
I've seen vary between $50 and $400 depending on who the artist is, what
medium is used ( ie pencils only, inked, coloured, etc. ).
> 2) How do you guys display your pieces? Do you store them away in a safe
> somewhere, get them framed, put it up in the fridge?
I have a couple of mine framed ( although it gets pricey if you have a few
pieces ). I try and have as much out as possible, but for those who aren't
out, I keep in some cardboard boxes, wrapped in plastic. The plastic is just
a regular sheet which fits the art snugly ( by wrapping twice ) but not
bending the piece. *shrug* There are numerous ways of doing it, but I'm not
sure about putting it on the fridge :)
> 3) Anybody care to recommend a good site to buy original art? I'm
particularly
> interested in Salvador Larroca pieces.
I'm not too sure who deals with Larroca pieces, but there are a number of
Original Art websites. Two who I have dealt with in the past are:-
Graphic Collectibles ( http://www.graphiccollectibles.com/ ) and
The Artist's Choice ( http://www.theartistschoice.com/ )
Also, you may want to check out the ComicArt List at
http://www.comicart-l.org. The list is high volume, and there's a lot of OT
posts, but everyone's pretty friendly, and no doubt will be able to help you
further.
Good luck -- Stuart
ATKokmen
>Just wondering if anybody on this board collected original artwork? I saw a
>site selling some and I was considering picking up a few pieces. Am I correct
>in assuming that if I own page 14 of Amazing Spider-Man #26 (I haven't
actually
>seen that I'm just picking something at random for this example) that I would
>be the only one in the world that owns it? In other words, whatever Marvel
>has would just be a copy of the original that I, and I alone, own?
Basically, yes. The publisher or the printing house will retain
some manufacturing material (for instance, manufacturing films or
digital files) that they create from the original art in order to print the
comics. But your bit of original art would be the one and only
item that came off of the artist's board. (Although, it is possible
that a piece would be inked over something other than the
original pencil artwork, which might change what one considers
the 'real' original artwork.
>1) From what I gather, it is the artists themselves that are selling these
>pieces. How can they do this? If it's a drawing of Spider-Man, doesn't Marvel
>legally get a cut of the profits? For that matter, shouldn't they own the
>original?
Generally speaking, the current industry understanding of the
practice is that the publisher is commissioning the artwork and
acquiring (expansive) publication rights to that artwork. However,
ownership of the actual piece of artwork belongs to the artists
(usually divided up between inker and penciller in accordance
with some arrangement.) The publisher retains publication
rights to the artwork, so you couldn't publish a Spider-Man comic
book just because you come to own the original artwork to that
comic book.
It's worth knowing that this wasn't always the case. For many
years, comics publishers held that they owned the original artwork
and that they had no responsibility to return it to the artists (or,
really, to care for it in any real way.) These policies changed
over time, but as with all things, there were some rocky
controversies during that period.
>2) How do you guys display your pieces? Do you store them away in a safe
>somewhere, get them framed, put it up in the fridge?
I don't have enough wall space to hang all the artwork I'd want
to, but I do have some pieces framed. Others I keep in a drawer
of a flat file (sort of like a map case in your library.) I wouldn't
put anything up on my fridge, but that's probably because of the
alacrity of spattering foods involved when I cook ;)
>3) Anybody care to recommend a good site to buy original art? I'm
>particularly interested in Salvador Larroca pieces.
I don't know who handles this artist, but of course, eBay is
a good place to look for original art.
http://www.comicartlinks.com/html/dealers.html maintains
links to many original art dealers. That might also be a place
to look.
Collecting original art is indeed one of the coolest aspects of
being a comics fan, and a great way to broaden your hobby.
ATK
_______
"There is only one requirement for any of us, and that is to be
courageous...And I believe, because I've done a little of this myself,
pretending to be courageous is just as good as the real thing."
--David Letterman, 17 September 2001