How to Save Thousands in the Art Market
by Alexander Green, Chief Investment Strategist
Tuesday, February 16, 2010: Issue #1197
As a young man, I spent the summer of 1985 working at The Old Course Golf & Country Club in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Situated right next to the 17th hole – the notorious “road hole” where so many British Open championships have been won or lost – the club has a beautiful view of the Old Course, the storied Royal & Ancient clubhouse behind the first tee, and the North Sea beyond. I still look back on that time with a sort of dreaminess. Living overseas was a great experience. I learned so much and made so many new friends. I still consider that one of the great times of my life.
So imagine my surprise in New York a few weeks ago when I discovered a beautiful, hand-signed LeRoy Neiman, limited-edition serigraph of the Clubhouse at Old St. Andrews.
His subject was my exact view from the club each day. And Neiman’s trademark vibrant colors capture the spirit exactly. When I gaze at that print, I feel like I’m being transported back in time.
I was tempted to buy the serigraph right then, on impulse, as so many art buyers do. But I didn’t. I’ve learned how to save thousands of dollars on almost anything within the art market. You can too – and now is a great time to do so. Here’s why…
Why Now is a Great Time to Buy Art
A few weeks ago, The Wall Street Journal ran an article on the art market’s current “blue period.” For decades, high quality, limited-edition artwork has been one of the highest returning investments.
Yet like so many assets, prices have dropped sharply in recent years. As the WSJ reported, “The recession battered the art market for much of 2009, as prices for some of the world’s top artists fell by a third and auction houses struggled to win over wary collectors.”
If you have any contrarian instincts, you already know that buying an asset while it’s out of favor often rewards the patient investor. And while I wasn’t considering the Neiman strictly as an investment – I wanted that piece on my wall – I’m never opposed to saving a few thousand dollars. Here’s how I did it…
Want Fine Artwork? Here’s How to Buy It…
I called Mike Kuschmann at Fine Arts Limited. The company doesn’t have a gallery of artwork to sell. In fact, it doesn’t have a gallery at all.
Mike is strictly a “buyer’s broker.” That means he works for you, not the seller. When you find a piece you like, Mike contacts the seller on your behalf and negotiates a dealer’s price. Depending on the piece, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars.
I’ve known Mike for decades and used his services many times, as has my Investment U colleague, Mark Skousen. Mike has an excellent reputation for quality and reliability.
You don’t need to spend a small fortune to own beautiful fine art investments. When you visit a gallery, art festival or retail store and see a print, painting, sculpture or other piece you’d like to own, don’t pay retail.
Instead, call Mike at Fine Arts Limited… and save thousands. For example, the Neiman serigraph I wanted retails for $9,000. But using Fine Arts Limited, I paid roughly half that. The piece is at the framers now.
I know of no one else in the country who offers this kind of service. For a complimentary brochure pack detailing his services, you can call Mike at: 800-229-4322, or 407-702-6638.
No investment provides more pleasure – or says more about you as an individual – than the art you display.
So take a look at the walls in your home or office. If they’re dotted with framed posters from the furniture store, or that print of dogs playing poker that you bought on your first trip to Las Vegas, consider giving Mike a call.
What other investment pays this kind of dividends every day?
Good investing,
Alexander Green
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4 Responses to “How to Save Thousands in the Art Market”
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Alexander Green is the Chief Investment Strategist of Investment U. A Wall Street veteran, he has more than 20 years of experience as a research analyst, investment advisor, financial writer and portfolio manager.
I have a lifetime’s collection of original oils and watercolors from around the world some of which is for sale. All frames are original period (1827 through 1930s). Prices run from $1,500 to $20,000, and carry excellent potential for appreciation. As a life-long artist myself, my choice has never let me down. Confirming your thesis, art has consistently served me better than the stock markets (even though my holdings are currently at an all-time high).
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Dear Alexander Green,
To take your thoughts one step further . . . esp in the case of serigraphs you mentioned, one should really buy this art not so much as an investment but because he likes it for personal enjoyment. If that individual went to sell such an “investment”, I doubt he would even recover 25% of the $4500 “bargain price” paid. Not trying to be cynical, just realistic
Hope you will take a look at my site: http://www.canineart.com. I paint dog portraits. Original oil of your dog much cheaper than the above mentioned serigraph.
I read your book, The Secret of Shelter Island, and loved it. Thank you!
All the best,
Betsy Doody, Alpha Dog
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Have you never heard of auctions? I have a collection of original oils, water colours, signed limited edition prints etc (not to mention bronzes etc) that I bought at various auctions for prices between one eighth and one quarter of the quoted retail gallery prices. Sure you have to do your homework and some purchases are more successful than others, but that is half the fun!
Regards,
Philip
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Really? What article? Prints? Stop! Stick to what you know. Buy art, wait 100 years, get rich!!
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