Unnumbered Artist Proof Vs. Numbered Le

[schadowrider]

First time I've come across this (artist proof versions...) and a search didn't pop anything, so I thought I'd ask...

 

If a pen has been released as a numbered limited edition and there are also some unnumbered artist proof versions available on the market, how do the unnumbered artist proof versions tend to compare in market value to the numbered pens (lets say exclusive of any potentially "premium" numbered items, like 001/100 or 100/100): premium, discount, or par? As I type, I'm thinking it probably depends on how many of the AP versions are out there (half of that old supply and demand thing...), but it would seem that would be difficult to know. Just wondering if there is a general rule/trend, or if it is very specific to the particular model?

 

Put another way: all other things being equal (let's say not technically new, and lets remove the box since the numbered release will probably have some certificates, etc. that wouldn't be available with the artist proof version, but the pen itself is mint, uninked, same nib and otherwise structurally identical aside from numbering...) -- would one tend to price higher than the other in the market? Personally, I'd purchase whichever one is less expensive (since I'm not buying for the numbered LE status, but rather because it's a pen I like and expect to write well...), but is there a market trend one way or the other? :hmm1:

[SincerelySpicy]

  On 9/18/2010 at 3:36 PM, schadowrider said:

First time I've come across this (artist proof versions...) and a search didn't pop anything, so I thought I'd ask...

 

If a pen has been released as a numbered limited edition and there are also some unnumbered artist proof versions available on the market, how do the unnumbered artist proof versions tend to compare in market value to the numbered pens (lets say exclusive of any potentially "premium" numbered items, like 001/100 or 100/100): premium, discount, or par? As I type, I'm thinking it probably depends on how many of the AP versions are out there (half of that old supply and demand thing...), but it would seem that would be difficult to know. Just wondering if there is a general rule/trend, or if it is very specific to the particular model?

 

Put another way: all other things being equal (let's say not technically new, and lets remove the box since the numbered release will probably have some certificates, etc. that wouldn't be available with the artist proof version, but the pen itself is mint, uninked, same nib and otherwise structurally identical aside from numbering...) -- would one tend to price higher than the other in the market? Personally, I'd purchase whichever one is less expensive (since I'm not buying for the numbered LE status, but rather because it's a pen I like and expect to write well...), but is there a market trend one way or the other? :hmm1:

 

 

The value of an artist proof depends on many things, but one thing to consider, is that artists proofs are typically not meant to be sold, and so most artist proofs in many things will not be made available on the market for a significant time after the edition was issued for reasons such as death of the artist, financial constraints of the artists or the owner of the proof etc.

 

That said, the value of an artist proof often comes not from the AP "number" but from the fact that it may have been the property of the artist itself or made by the artist as a personal gift. Sure AP are usually rarer than the numbered edition, but since there are at times more than one AP, they may technically be more common than any given number in the edition.

 

Lastly, AP in often meant, originally, that the proof was a working proof taking before the completion of a plate (printmaking). In this case, the AP or series of APs have value in that it shows the progress of a work which is otherwise impossible to see in the final edition.

 

In pens however, artists proofs are usually solely for the ownership of the artist or the one who commissions the LE, and are typically not meant to be sold on the market along with the rest of the LE.

Edited September 21, 2010 by SJM1123

[schadowrider]

Thanks SJM - makes sense; just recently came across "AP" in the context of pens, and wasn't sure how common they were. My newest acquisition arrived today -- an AP version of the Bexley 2008 Owners Club in black and silver (marked "AP/150"), with a stub nib; being an AP version, it wasn't sold as a new pen, although it is in uninked mint condition and what appears to be "final proof" (i.e., the same as the final numbered run of pens). I'm looking forward to inking it up, but I've got a few too many pens with ink in them right now, so it's going to have to wait until I get something else emptied out!

[Truffle Finder]

I can only speak on behalf of Henry Simpole on this subject.

When he has been commissioned to make a 'run' of a particular design of pens, [requiring casting of the overlays], by virtue of the nature of the 'casting' proceedure, it is usual for the caster to produce a few extra copies of the design, to allow for mis-casts[or 'incomplete casts, where the silver or gold does not meet up at certain points in the design].

When the 'finishing' has been done,it would seem to be a waste not to use the extra ones, and are made up into 'Artist's Examples'. Bearing in mind that these pens are not made in large numbers [usually one, two or possibly three, so there is no intention of 'sharp practice' with regard to these pieces finding their way to the market place, with a view to making a 'killing'. As has already been said earlier, usually they are given away as presents, or as 'extras' to the person who commissioned the pens originally. It must also be remembered that none of us will own these pens for ever, and so they will inevitably be owned by other people in the fullness of time, it therefore remains to be seen what 'premium' they may or may not achieve when they are sold.

Truffle Finder.