Artist Signature Ornaments

[amw]

How does an artist signature effect the value of one's ornament? I have yet to see any mention of this on the secondary market ornaments or in any of the value guides. I have a club piece that was signed by all of the artists and was curious how to value it for insurance purposes. Thanks!

[nicki]

Hi AMW...welcome to the forum,
The biggest value that having the artist signature on an ornament...is the experience in having it signed, rather than a monetary jump in its value.
Most collectors enjoy meeting the artist face to face, having a brief chat with him/her, and having their ornament signed by its sculptor. Even standing in line at an artist signing can be fun as you visit with others that share the passion. That experience certainly makes that ornament more valuable to the collector.

However, in terms of dollars...a signature may add just $5-$10 to the value, and then only to SOME collectors. Most collectors prefer to secure the signature themselves and don't pay extra for an ornament that someone else has had signed.

As for the Event pieces with all signatures. The 1993 Santa's Favorite Stop was the first Event piece sculpted by 14 artists. It is hard to find with all 14 signatures as Julia Lee was able to sign very few of them. Thus if signed by all 14 artists, it could increase in value by as much as $100.
While, the 1999 Trimming Santa's Tree Event piece has "stamped"
signatures of all the artists that sculpted it.

Hope this information helps...if you'd like more specific information about the event piece you have, feel free to email me at [e-mail] or post here on the forum. Happy Collecting, Nicki

[amw]

Nicki,

Thanks for the feedback. I suppose I haven't seen many signed pieces on the secondary market because those of us who are "ornament addicts" would never be able to part with them! Thanks again. AMW