The Dumb Dealer, or The Importance of Education and Common Sense

This post focuses on the Dumb Dealer; look for an upcoming post on the Deceitful Dealer. 

Over the years, I have heard dealers say many odd and disturbing things.  One of the most disconcerting was a dealer insisting he had an original of a famous painting.  This occurred as a result of his dismissive attitude towards a print of the same scene being sold.  This dealer was insistent his was the original as it was on canvas.  Madame Trent was familiar with the scene and remarked evenly, without judgment, that the painting was in a museum in Vienna.  The dealer took this observation in stride, however, remarking, “He must have painted more than one” and ended the discussion.

"I don't see what's so special, I've had one of the originals over my mantel for years.   Leo loved Lisa so much he just sat around painting the same scene over and over."  Of course he did, because forgeries are made by the same artist as the original.  Louis Comfort Tiffany definitely made some lamps out of plastic and composite and outsourced the wiring to China.  Do you want to buy my ski chalet in Texas?  I can give you a great deal if you pay the deposit today.  Photo by Nell (and captured by countless others).

Dealers are usually not so forthright with their ignorance, or so willing to continue to make comments that only further demonstrate the extent of their cluelessness.  The typical uneducated dealer will do everything in his power to convince you he knows what he is talking about.  He will declare, as the above did, a statement to be true with complete confidence and leave no room for dissension.  Madame Trent and I experienced such a discussion first hand, where upon asking an innocent question of the proprietor of an upscale consignment shop (without any preface of our own knowledge level), we were told that a work of art on the wall was a print.  A quick examination showed it to be an original pen and ink drawing.  We proceeded to inquire about the consignment process and were told there was no input accepted from clients with regards to the piece’s history or acceptable sales price.  Madame Trent bought the original she had examined, and I bought a signed and numbered original print (priced as an original watercolor, albeit a framed and matted original watercolor that cost less than $30) of roses that I enjoyed.  The last sale price of this print at a New York gallery was just under $300 almost thirty years ago, as indicated on the back of the frame.

Whether you enter a store for the first time or are a long-time customer, rely first and foremost on your own experience and knowledge.  Make your own assessment of a piece before even checking the price tag.  You may be pleasantly surprised with a deal…or you may laugh out loud.