What we love at Tretchikoff Renaissance is that so many of you out there already have your own little piece of Tretchy history. You've inherited your friend's, cousin's, great aunt's print; or you have a print that hung in your home while you were growing up. Better yet, you went scratching around antique shops one Sunday morning and stumbled upon this print you just had to have. Regardless of how you happened to come across your Tretchy, or what you intend doing with your print, there are a couple of standard questions we're always asked when people get in contact with us. So for your convenience, we've put down all the answers here.
How do I have my original evaluated?
It is advisable to consult a local evaluator from a reputable auction house, or an antique dealer in your area. They will be available to advise you on the worth of your particular piece more accurately.
Groups such as Sothebys and Christies are a good starting point because of their size and international status.
Where can I find more information on my particular print?
Refer to the gallery section of our site for information on a particular print. We have a selection of many of his prints and if you click on the image, some history on the subject matter will appear.
For further information, refer to Howard Timm’s book “Tretchikoff” and for more knowledge on the man himself, you can refer to the autobiography “Pigeon’s Luck” which will give you an insight into the life and passions of Vladimir Tretchikoff. Alternatively, online resources such as Wikipedia are a good starting point for additional reference material. Finally, conducting a simple google search of the artist will give you a considerable amount of useful links on his works.
What makes Tretchikoff Renaissance prints different to those I could get from eBay?
Our vintage lithogrpah prints were produced in the 1950s using the Letter-Press Technique and under the artist’s personal supervision. Until recently, these were being held in his private store.
Only now, in the wake of his death and the resurgence of his popularity, has his family decided to release these prints to the public once again. This means these vintage prints have never been owned by anyone else – genuine vintage, but not second hand. In addition, as official custodians of the artist’s imagery and representatives of the
Tretchikoff family, we are the only retailers who can provide a certificate of authentication signed by the artist's daughter and grand-daughter.
Is my Tretchikoff an original or is it a print?
There are a few quick tests you can conduct yourself to ascertain whether you have an original artwork or a print in your possession. Firstly, Tretchikoff only worked on canvas - never board or paper. So if your artwork is on either of these mediums, then it most definitely is not an original.
Secondly, the texture of its surface will also indicate whether or not this is an oil work or a print. If the piece has a smooth surface then it is a print; if it is rough, then it’s an original. Tretchy worked in oils and had what is known as an “impasto” style of painting. At times, the paint looks as if it has been applied using a butter knife and the result is a textured and raised surface.
If you have established that the piece is indeed a painting and not a print, this is still no guarantee that the work is a genuine Tretchy original. Due to his popularity, many ‘knock-offs’ were created by con-artists. A good fake will be hard to tell as the con-artist will have paid attention to details such as the signature. Being able to spot a fake ultimately comes down to experience. At this stage, the best advice would be to consult a reputable art historian or art dealer in your area who has number of years working in the industry. We can always recommend established companies such as Sothebys or Christies.
One last thing to keep in mind if you are thinking of buying an original, or someone is proposing to sell you a Tretchikoff enquire about the history of the piece. Generally speaking, the owner of a legitimate Tretchikoff painting will know the history of the piece: how they came into possession of the piece, was it bought or was it a gift, who the previous owner was and when the piece was painted. Be very wary of anyone who purports to own an original but knows nothing about the work itself. It’s not very often that someone will ‘just happen to have’ a painting worth upwards of £20,000.00 lying around their attic.
How much is my print worth?
Prints are valued according to a number of variables listed below, that will affect every print's individual value:
- The print's condition: how faded is the print and is it tattered or torn anywhere? Fading may account for differentiation in colour between your print and the colours of the prints on our site. Colours tend to yellow with age and will also not fade uni-formerly, so a blue might look green, purples might look blue, yellows may appear green etc.
- Whether or not it is in its original frame: Collectors much prefer prints in their original frames, so if it has been reframed it will be less valuable.
- Subject Matter: The Oriental Series (Chinese Girl, Miss Wong, Lady of the Orient) and other iconic images such as Lost Orchid and the Weeping Rose are more sought after and hence more valuable than other prints.
- Rarity: Certain prints are more rare than others and therefore more desirable to collectors. For example, the Beatnik Girl and Penny Whistler's are highly collectable and very sought after, so will command higher prices.
- Signed prints: Prints signed by the artist will be more valuable than unsigned prints, but the signature would need to be authenticated or verified by an art expert.
NB: Tretchikoff’s hand signature differs from his artist's signature on his original oil works.
- Price range: it varies widely depending on these factors – our prints retail between forty and fifty pounds. However, the value of a print will ultimately be determined by the market, or how much the individual buyer desires that particular print.
