Maxfield Parrish Prints
Reproductions
 Because
original paintings are expensive and hard to
get, collectors often buy reproductions. This
for example is a painting that is reproduced
on paper by the process of color printing. Maxfield
Parrish prints as well as other artist works
are big collectors items, unfortunately computer
copies and new reproductions still fool people.
Some people use the term "original"
to mean a print reproduced onto paper around
the same time as the original was painted. There
are what we call "new reproductions"
and "old reproductions".
- Old reproductions are copies made around
the era of the painting itself.
- New reproductions are recent copies usually
made from the 1960's and on.
This is where value comes in. Some collectors
don't know how to tell the difference, they
may believe they are buying an old reproduction
when they may be buying a new one. Here are
some ways to tell the difference;
New Reproductions
- A new reproduction should have a shiny
surface, looking like vinyl.
- The colors are usually brighter, old reproductions
tend to be faded.
- They tend to be less detailed in the darker
areas of the print.
 Comparisons
- If you are a collector and you are unsure
if the print is old or new, a good way to
check is to compare it to a poster. If the
colors of the print are just as brilliant
as the poster chances are that you are really
buying a new reproduction.
- The feel of old paper will tend to be heavier
than new paper and darker on the outside.
- If a print is bigger than the original
size you know it isn't authentic.
Computer copies
There are definite characteristics
that will tell you if a print is really a computer
copy.
- Older paper has fewer chemicals so they
rarely fluoresce.
- After WW II paper was bleached with fluoresce
making edges a little lighter where there
is no print, usually on the backsides and
margins.
- Many light colors and whites tend to fluoresce
on computer copies.
Value
- Keeping the print in the frame it was purchased
in with the backing intact keeps the print
more valuable.
- Some auction firms will not accept a piece
if the original casing has been removed.
- Cropping to fit to a desired frame will
also lower the value.
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