Certificate of Authenticity

[Mike Boden]

A recent customer of mine asked me if I would be including a "Certificate of Authenticity" along with the prints I sold him. I told him no because I've never done that before. Truth is, though, I was actually surprised he asked, because no one has ever asked me that before.

So, what is everyone's thoughts on this? Does anybody else include a "Certificate of Authenticity"? If so, what does yours look like and what does it say? Have you ever been asked for one before? This seems out of the ordinary; do you agree?

[QT Luong]

I've seen some successful print sellers do that with every print sold. Peter Lik used to have a copy of his online.

[Colin Graham]

It seems like a signature alone would accomplish this, but who am I to argue with a collector?

[Charles Carstensen]

A Google search for Peter Lik comes up with this link at the top.

http://www.sunshineartist.com/index....der=sider.html

You may have to cut and paste to get the page, then look at 2nd subject down left side.

I am new at this, however, it seems to be a necessary evil. Have written a couple and did not like either one. Any way you write it seems self serving and somewhat arrogant (I take a brush and swipe it on the canvas). The other side of the coin is the fact it does/should communicate facts the observer may not know. At least that is the way I would write it.

[paulr]

It sounds like something you'd get with a collectible porcelain unicorn from the franklin mint. i doubt a serious photo collector would ever ask for such a thing, or take it seriously. anyway, who's to say your certificate of authenticity is authentic?

[Brian Vuillemenot]

For best results, sell your prints with a limited edition certificate of authenticity. Now there's a marketing scheme that's guaranteed to work...

By the way, are you knocking my limited edition collection of porcelain unicorns, Paul? But they look so nice next to the Elvis plates!

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think they're a little hokey, but I believe a few states require them, like Hawai'i.

[Ed Richards]

I think they're a little hokey, but I believe a few states require them, like Hawai'i.

Certificates or porcelain unicorns?

[paulr]

Hawaii requires porcelain unicorns. Owning terra cotta unicorns is a misdemeanor.

[roteague]

Hawaii requires porcelain unicorns. Owning terra cotta unicorns is a misdemeanor.

So, you have something against Hawaii?