Click the logo to return to the HOME page

William Holland, 1554 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380
(this address is for mail & parcels only)
Fax: 1.610.344.0651
e-mail: bill@hollandarts.com

ON THIS PAGE (scroll down to the appropriate BLUE number and heading :

1. What I need to APPRAISE your artwork or Tiffany items
2. Details on what is and what is not in the book, Louis Icart: The Complete Etchings
3. Private Icart Buyer's Guide
4.  Private Tiffany Buyer's Guide
5.  Artwork Conservation & Risks
-----------------------------------------------

1. What I need to APPRAISE your artwork or Tiffany items

Accurate authentication and evaluation of 50-100 year old items requires detailed information. The condition of the item is extremely important in determining its value. Prices vary greatly for the same item because of this factor. What may look like mint condition to you, may not be to the trained evaluator.

I need the following, to appraise your Tiffany or Tiffany-type lamp:

1. Photos or digital scans (.JPG format) of the item:

  b. Photos of a 4x8" area on the outside of the shade with a light source, either inside the shade or by holding the shade up outdoors so light transmits thru the glass. Low wattage or filtered sunlight work best so as not to wash out the glass color. 

c. Individual photos of the entire base, the socket assembly and the bottom platform.

2. Close up pictures of the signature and any other identifying marks.  

3. A description and close-up picture, if possible, of any condition problems (cracks, patina wear, etc.)

4. An accurate measurement of the item.

5. My fee is $100 and UP, depending on the item, payable by check, credit card or payment through www.paypal.com.

I need the following, to appraise your artwork or other item:

1. Photos or digital scans (.JPG format) of the item or artwork.

2. Close up pictures of the signature and any other identifying marks or writing. On Icart artwork, I need a close-up of any embossed seals, if present. Look for seals just below the image in the lower left corner on rectangular pieces and about 4” to the left of the signature on oval pieces. 

3. A description and close-up picture, if possible, of any condition problems (foxing, tears, stains, discoloration, holes, irregular white spots caused by silverfish, etc.)

4. An accurate measurement of the item. On artwork, the printed rectangular or oval image (not including white margin, mat or frame).

5. The usual fee, with some exceptions for high dollar and unusual items, is $50 for one item, payable by check, credit card or payment through www.paypal.com.

Email for fees on additional items. There may be addition fees for follow-up emails, phone calls, etc.

Fees for situations that involve disputes or disagreements with dealers or ebay sellers depend on the specific circumstances of the dispute. Sometimes it is not possible for me to get involved at all.  

Sometimes a conflict of interest or professional courtesy may require me to decline appraising or evaluating your item.

2. What is and what is not in the book, Louis Icart: The Complete Etchings
All of the Full-size etchings by Louis Icart are pictured in my book: Louis Icart: The Complete Etchings.
This 9x12" hardbound book features over 550 Louis Icart etchings pictured in color on 264 pages. This book contains all of the etchings that were sold as individual pieces in stores and galleries during Icart's lifetime. All were pencil-signed and limited, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of about 500 for each title. The etchings are accurately sized and titled with a title cross-reference appendix and valuable information on signatures, blindstamps, edition sizes and artist background data. There is an illustrated chapter on the other Boudoir artists and chapters on Icart's other artwork, including menu covers, examples of a few erotic etchings, old lithographs, the Exodus series and all of his La Ronde des Danse pieces. Retail is $80 + tax + shipping. Your total price, including shipping & tax, (if applicable), is only $75 postpaid in the USA. 

Not included are the small, bookplate "erotica" etchings, which are covered in my second book Louis Icart Erotica.  Not in my book (or any other book on Louis Icart’s full sized etchings) is a price guide or information on separating the real etchings from the fakes and repros. There is a reason for these exclusions. The book is now in its fourth printing. Over 16,000 copies have been sold since it was originally published. Obviously any prices listed in the first three editions would be out of date. The new, fourth edition was released in August, 2002, but the revisions were submitted in September, 2001. They too would already be dated. Information on the repros and fakes and the ever-changing techniques that are being used to try and deceive the public is constantly being corrected and supplemented. I update my buyer beware web page when new information surfaces.   

If you only want to know how to identify the good from the bad, then the Private Icart Buyer's Guide WebPages is the answer at $27 for a subscription. For details see the next paragraph.

If you want to know it all, then you need the book and the subscription: $75 + $27=$102

3. Private Icart Buyer's Guide
There are 50 Icart listings on ebay priced over $65 (March, 2004). At least HALF out of 50 are either misrepresented, vague or have a misleading "positive spin" in their descriptions. Do you know how to identify the genuine seals and ink stamps that Icart used vs. the new phony ones? I hope you can also spot the repro prints that have been artificially aged and the "authentic lithographs" complete with certificates of authenticity.  I have had two emails from people who purchased "Icart" bronzes. Sorry! I could have helped you to avoid these embarrassing and costly mistakes. I am also getting queries about "mint condition prints", which are nothing more than Xerox copies or inkjet printed images. Most are notebook paper size or smaller.

My Buyer's Guide will save you money. Every day I receive praise for the information that I have offered on my "Buyer Beware" pages. As a specialist in Tiffany, Icart and Parrish for more than 21 years, I have learned a lot.

This WebPage began as a free informational page to help out my collector and dealer friends. I now receive 5-10 emails a day requesting free appraisals & authentication, or my opinions on the value of specific ebay listings or items being sold by others.

Regretfully, I must begin charging for my knowledge and information. This page will remain as a reminder that all sellers, especially on Ebay, are not honest.

If you purchase the WebPage: ICART Private Buyer's Guide, you will receive access to my private WebPages with detailed information on each topic. The WebPages will be updated as needed at no addition cost to you. You can access it as often as you like.
You also get my Ebay Survival Guide, as a bonus.

Your subscription to the private web page is good for as long as I continue to do it. Hopefully, this will be for a long, long time. SUBSCRIBERS: If you ever have trouble accessing it, please email me.

The cost is $27, payable through PayPal or by check.
To order simply send your check for $27 to the address above OR transfer $27 through PayPal to my email address. No refunds.

Included in the BUYER'S GUIDE:
Pictures of the PHONY windmill seals and other bogus markings
"Buyer Beware" updates
And the following chapters, with illustrations:
1.Limited Edition reprints at auction and elsewhere 
2. COLOR "XEROX" PRINTS at auction and elsewhere
3. Altered reproduction prints at auction and elsewhere
4. Why do I see different prices for the same etching?  
5. The embossed "windmill" seal is reborn
6. REAL vs. REPRO
7. "Morris & Bendien, New York" & other OLD lithographs
8. Icart "Erotica" & Le Jardin Japonais
9. Copyright dates--the repros have them too
10. Edition sizes and other pencil notations on Icart's etchings
11. Icart figurines
12. Icart watercolors
13. Icart pseudonyms
14. Icart "etchings" on white plastic
15. How can I find out what my Icart etching is worth?
16. Icart bronzes at auction and elsewhere
17. Icart "Iris Giclees" prints
18. How to survive "The Wild West" (also known as Ebay)
   What to look for in the SINGLE LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION (TITLE SEARCH)
   What to look for on the MAIN LISTING PAGE
   What you can learn by reading the FEEDBACK comments
   What you can learn by VIEWING SELLER'S OTHER AUCTIONS  
   What you can learn by checking BID HISTORY & NUMBER OF BIDS   
   Reading the DESCRIPTION
   Reading RETURN POLICY and GUARANTEE  

4.  Private Tiffany Buyer's Guide
I have watched ebay bidders spend large amounts of money to purchase a huge variety and quantity of fake Tiffany items.
All were stamped TIFFANY STUDIOS or signed L.C.T., just like the real ones.

Every day I receive praise and congratulations for the information that I have offered on my "Buyer Beware" pages. As a specialist in Tiffany, Icart and Parrish for more than 20 years, I have learned a lot.

This WebPage began as a free informational page to help out my collector and dealer friends. I now receive 5-10 emails a day requesting free appraisals & authentication, or my opinions on the value of specific ebay listings or items being sold by other dealers.

Regretfully, I must begin charging for my knowledge and information.
If you purchase the WebPage: TIFFANY Private Buyer's Guide, you will receive access to my private WebPages with detailed information and illustrations on the topics listed below. You also get my Ebay Survival Guide, as a bonus. The WebPages will be updated as needed at no addition cost to you.  You can access it as often as you like.

Your subscription to the private web page is good for as long as I continue to do it. Hopefully, this will be for a long, long time. SUBSCRIBERS: If you ever have trouble accessing it, please email me.

The cost is $25, payable through PayPal or by check.
To order simply send your check for $25 to the address above OR transfer $25 through PayPal to my email address. No refunds.

Included in the illustrated BUYER'S GUIDE:
1. BELT BUCKLES    
2. BRONZE STATUES AND METAL FIGURES
3. BRONZE & TURTLEBACK TILE PAPERWEIGHTS
4. TIFFANY GOLD COLORED GLASS VASES AND OTHER DECORATIVE OBJECTS.
5. TIFFANY BLUE GLASS
6. TIFFANY MOSAICS.
7. LEADED LAMPS
8. TIFFANY DESK PIECES
9. TIFFANY FAVRILE SHADES.
10. TIFFANY BRONZE LAMP BASES
11. TIFFANY SCARABS
12. How to survive "The Wild West" (also known as Ebay)
   What to look for in the SINGLE LINE ITEM DESCRIPTION (TITLE SEARCH)
   What to look for on the MAIN LISTING PAGE
   What you can learn by reading the FEEDBACK comments
   What you can learn by VIEWING SELLER'S OTHER AUCTIONS  
   What you can learn by checking BID HISTORY & NUMBER OF BIDS   
   Reading the DESCRIPTION
   Reading RETURN POLICY and GUARANTEE 

5. Artwork conservation and risks

   LOUIS ICART & other Boudoir artists: Most etchings in the 1920’s and 30’s were glued to acidic cardboard (drymounted) and subjected to conditions which promoted the growth of mildew and mold spores. The acid in the matboards causes the back of the paper to turn brownish or gray, eventually bleeding through to the front.  Most etchings in original or old frames should be cleaned to remove the cardboard matting, destroy the mildew and neutralize the acid. This process restores the artwork to its original beauty. Almost every etching that I sell has been cleaned. The cost is about $200-250, which is included in my prices. I assume all of the risk involved in “cleaning” them. If the etching comes through the process without problems, then I offer it for sale to my clients. Pieces that do not come out perfectly are consigned to auction or sold to “scratch & dent” dealers.
Should you need an etching cleaned, please contact me for details and risk assessment.
  MAXFIELD PARISH: Unfortunately, the paper used on most Parrish prints and artwork does not hold up well in the cleaning processes that I use. The glass can be cleaned and the artwork can be backed with acid-free matting to slow down or stop the aging process, but stains and foxing cannot be removed.

 ~
DISCLAIMER: This information is based on 21+ years of experience as a specialist in buying and selling the artwork and associated articles by Louis Icart, Maxfield Parrish, Tiffany Studios and Tiffany Furnaces. However, no one knows it all. Occasionally, an unknown item will surface. If I generalize, I believe my information is accurate in almost every instance. I am not responsible for the odd, special-order or rare item that does not fit into my classification. BUT, please let common sense prevail: if an item is so unusual or rare that it is not listed in the normal reference material, why would someone choose to sell it on ebay and not at Christie's or Sotheby's? I make judgement calls from photos and descriptions of items on ebay. My assessment is almost always correct. The goal of this guide is to enable you to make the same judgements. If occasionally you or I miss out on a bargain, so be it. I try to err on the side of caution. If there is any doubt in my mind, then I will not bid or buy the item in question. This guide is written with that conservative philosophy in mind.

Return to Home Page

CLICK below to visit my other web pages:
Louis Icart Etchings: Over 230 scanned pictures
~~~
Maxfield Parrish: Art Prints, Calendars & more
~~~
Tiffany Desk Sets: Inkwells, frames, etc.
~~~~
Tiffany Lamps & Glass: Genuine & Guaranteed
~~~~
Icart Erotic Etchings: over 120 scanned pictures
~~~~
Boudoir Art:  by other deco artists
~~~~
Icart Repro Prints: $15 and up

RETURN to Home Page
William Holland Fine Arts  ~~ Fax: 1.610.344.0651