Modern and Contemporary Prints
A Practical Guide to Collecting
by Phoebe Phillips & Tom Robb

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Decorating walls with pictures seems to be a universal impulse. During our teenage years, many of us bought posters to decorate our bedrooms. Even young children want to put pictures on the wall. As we get older, though, some of us lose confidence. After all, pictures on the wall are a statement of taste or, perhaps, lack of it.

We also worry that what we are buying is worthless and a poor investment - something that really shouldn't concern us as all the advice is to buy what you like. Human nature being what it is, buying things that increase in value is not only worthwhile financially, it also validates our good taste.

It can be even more difficult to have confidence in our own judgement when it comes to buying contemporary art, especially prints. It has never been easier to buy with numerous outlets springing up but how can we buy with confidence, especially when perhaps we aren't even sure exactly what can be defined as a print?

This new book, Modern and Contemporary Prints - A Practical Guide to Collecting, addresses this problem. As the authors say, "But a print can mean anything from a snapshot or a teenager's magazine poster to a Warhol silkscreen or a Matisse lithograph. Today it can also encompass such mixed media artworks as a woodcut with relief, hand-painting, collage and drawing on oxidised lead foil; it is no wonder that the viewer is bemused."

The first part of the book includes an 'Essential A-Z: What you need to know' with descriptions and definitions of many words and terms connected to prints like Assemblegraph, drypoint and verso.

Part two deals with starting to collect and includes information on where to go, both to buy and to learn more, and a useful checklist for buying and selling. The third section of the book looks at caring for your prints with helpful advice on insurance, valuation and framing and hanging.

The fourth section looks at printmaking and the final section is an invaluable list of sources and resources with an A-Z list of artists who have produced prints, printmaking and print studios and bibliographies.

Not only is this book written in clear and easy to understand style, it is also beautifully illustrated with pictures of prints throughout.

This is the book to buy if you want to buy modern or contemporary prints with confidence because it answers all those questions beginners ask as well as those they didn't know they needed to ask.

Quick Facts

Title: Modern and Contemporary Prints - A Practical Guide to Collecting

Authors: Phoebe Phillips and Tom Robb

Publisher: Antique Collectors Club

ISBN: 1851494588

Binding: Hardback

Publication Date: September 2004

Price: £25

All information relates to the UK edition.

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Copyright © 2004 by Carol Fisher All Rights Reserved