Published: July 01, 2008 08:11 am            

‘Vanity Fair’ prints among most interesting of print collectings

As I noted previously, the collecting of prints has become one of the “hottest” of the collecting areas.

Prints are readily available, and depending upon the collector’s interests and financial ability, can, therefore, be reasonable in price.

One of the most interesting of the print collecting groupings is that of the prints that appeared in “Vanity Fair” magazine. After some basic information about the magazine, we’ll discuss the “Vanity Fair” phenomenon.

“Vanity Fair” was an English weekly magazine, published from 1864 to 1914. Each week “Vanity Fair” featured a caricature of a prominent individual. Most of these prints were colored by chromolithography, a printing process in which blocks of limestone were utilized.

As collectibles, these prints were used to increase the magazine’s sales. As anticipated, they became very collectible in that time period, and remain so today. As mentioned previously, the prints may be collected by vocation, by year of publication, by artist or by interest in the various subjects.

Because a number of these prints have been reproduced, especially the sports figures (jockeys, boxers, etc.), either know your subject, know your dealer, or, preferably, know both.

These prints are especially being collected for display in dens or guest bathrooms, in professional offices, and in mass displays in restaurants or other public spaces. They are reasonably priced, for the most part, and make a wonderful entry into print collecting.

Because a great number of these prints are “antique,” that is, more than 100 years old, they may have damage to a greater or lesser degree. The beginning print collector, as the beginning glass or porcelain collector, may start inexpensively with these prints and gradually improve his/her collection as funds become available.

A number of print collectors do not bother to frame their collections but keep their items in acid free boxes with acid free paper separating the various prints. In this manner, you may upgrade your collection much more readily.

With any collecting field, there are considerations to be made relative to value. These include number of items available, condition of items and whether the item is an original or a reproduction. All of these factors are relevant insofar as price is concerned.

Print collecting is a relatively inexpensive area in which to become involved. There are a number of Internet resources available to the beginning collector, and I would recommend that you study these prior to getting involved.

For questions of a general nature about personal property appraising, contact the author by e-mail at jimant@ipro.net.

Copies of the first 50 columns in this series are available in book form by sending a check for $7.50 plus $2.50 shipping to: P.O. Box 672, Richmond, KY 40475.

        

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