Anyone know anything about paintings?

[Sheila]

Browsing the net today, I came across a painting for sale by a US artist named Sandler.   The price was an astronomical $US13,400.   I had to pick myself up off the floor, because I have one that is by the same artist.  And its even bigger and with more detail than the one on offer!   I bought it in the early 1960's from a local shop in New Zealand and when I moved to Australia I brought it with me.  It appears to be an original (you know, canvas and real lumps of paint etc).  Cant take it into the new system so if its worth that much I may as well sell it.   I do like it, but when all's said and done, its only a thing taking up space on a wall.  The money would come in handy for the International in Melbourne.   Anyone any ideas what I can do to start the ball rolling?   

[SUNRAY]

Hi Sheila ~ You can google the name of the painting and artist...also, after you get an idea of the worth maybe some of the friends here have experience with ebay...be careful though posting on the internet your address along with the painting..theives are rampant these days!

[Miss Bea]

Any museums local? I'd start there. You need it appraised by an expert. Watch Antiques Roadshow? But, get it appraised. Then be careful. So many will come across ones like you, and offer them a price that may look good, at the moment, but, are trying to take advantage of the fact you may be naive in the buying and selling of art things. Get to an expert.

[SunnyG]

Some universities have experts in their art departments. If you can find someone who specialises in Sandler's work it would be interesting to talk to them.

 

They may have contacts home or abroad who could help too.

 

The museum was a great suggestion - get professional advice then take it to a suitable auction house.

 

Alternatively, learn all about the artwork and keep it if you don't need the cash.

I bet it would make for fascinating discussions!

Edited April 9, 2014 by SunnyG

[Stavro]

Antique shops will insist that it's a fake or student work, give you an absurdly low "I can only offer this once" price, and take it to an auction house themselves and pocket the difference.

 

I'd recommend a museum to verify the artist, then shop around at a few reputable big-name auction houses for the appraisal and eventual sale. Though just to give you fair warning, getting the best price may take a year or longer for such a rare item, since museum verifications and auction appraisals are a little more thorough than the 90-second Antiques Roadshow "I have no idea if this is real but you should probably have this insured at a half million dollars" appraisals.

[Lance]

Well dealers .. If it is authentic .. Will give you 50 percent of of appraised if your lucky..

Auctions always take their cut.. Plus they charge buyers premium..

Appraised value is more of an insurance value..

It often depends if the artist is hot or not... So bottom line educate yourself .. And don't get scammed .. Like using an escrow account to get paid...

Edited April 9, 2014 by TheDoorGuy

[Sheila]

Thanks for all your replies - I'll sit on it for a few weeks until after the memorial, the CO's visit and my two week puppy-sitting stint all end, then try an art dealer company I know of in New Zealand.  My father used to deal with them so I know they're reasonably honest.  They might be able to point me to a reputable collector/gallery or whatever.    I've had the painting for over forty years (I bought it before my son was born and he's 42 now - good grief even he's getting old) so another few weeks wont do much harm. 

 

No Antique Roadshow in Oz, and the Queensland Art Gallery is in Brisbane city - over an hours train journey and I really don't fancy lugging a great big painting on the train in case it gets damaged - maybe they'll come to me.   Cant find much out about Sander - don't even know his first name.   There is a Professor Sandler who lectures at some US university but there appears to be very little information out there.   It will keep for a little while longer, and thanks also for your cautions, I will be careful about advise offered.

[niall]

I'm assuming that you are somewhere in SE Queensland. Ring Queensland University and get advice from them. If it's a really interesting piece someone from the Uni might be prepared to come visit you.

[Sheila]

Thanks Niall, didnt realise Qld Uni gives advise. Its just a painting of a beach scene, nothing spectacular, although I am fond of it.  But I will give them a call.

[niall]

I'm not sure they make a habit of giving advice, but if the piece is from a significant artist someone in the arts department might be willing to discuss it with you and give you some advice. It doesnt hurt to ask.

It's not quite the same, but friends of mine in Cairns found a dead animal in their yard. They didnt know what it was so they called the Uni and someone came out to collect it. It turned out to be a Quoll. Something quite rare.

Edited April 12, 2014 by niall

[GStorrs46]

Sheila

 

   We have a show here in the U.S. on the History Channel called Pawn Stars. Every time he has a painting or

something like that come in and he wants to know the value on it he calls a local art appraiser there in Los Vegas.

I'm sure you should be able to do the same there where you live, as well as perhaps find some leads as to who

may be in the market for buying that type of painting. I hope that is of help to you.

 

                                                                                                                                                         GStorrs46

[Margaret]

What does it look like?

[Sheila]

I'd almost forgotten all about the painting, so much has been going on in my life recently, so thanks for you advise Michael, I'll get onto someone - hopefully before our international convention in October!!  LOL.  

 

And Margaret, if I knew how to download photos off my mobile (cell) phone, I would try and post it.   There are similar paintings that the artist has done, but mine has much more detail - actually it looks like he's mixed two of his paintings together to make one.   One of his paintings is a beach scene with dunes and a broken down fence and scrubby grass, another is a beach scene with dunes and an old dinghy.   Mine is a combination of both paintings, broken fence, scrubby grass, dunes and the dinghy.  Quite a nice one actually.  If you google Sandlers paintings you'll see what I mean.  Unfortunately mine isnt up there - perhaps he only did the one painting and its worth a million dollars, wouldn't that be nice.