How Does Fine Art Photography Value on Secondary Market?

In this short article, I will attempt to answer a question I get asked a lot. Does the limited edition fine art photography appreciate with time?
I have found nothing better than to turn to the best-selling photographer of all times – Peter Lik. There is just no other photographer out there who has a better body of work represented simultaneously at his gallery and on the secondary art market. I have searched all Peter Lik for Sale ads, and below, I will show you what I have found.

NON-AFFILIATION DISCLAIMER

Alexander Gubski Photography is an independent business. Alexander Gubski is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Peter Lik or other owners of respective brands mentioned on this website. As well as with any of their subsidiaries or their affiliates. All brand names, as well as any related names, marks, emblems, and images, are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Available Options

Here I will also attempt to cover the options to become an owner of fine art photographs other than buying them in one of the official galleries.

The glory of Greece – Limited Edition print by Alex Gubski

As the number of Peter Lik collectors or just enchanted buyers grows, so does the secondary market supply.

I suppose the main question many people ask is – does it make sense to buy it on the secondary market? Are those sellers making an extra profit compared to the original purchase price? In other words – do Peter Lik’s prints appreciate with time or become available for less?

I have done a random sampling trying to compare identical prints available on the secondary market and through Peter Lik’s official website, and this is what I have found. Those finding are by no means scientifically representative as they reflect only a snapshot of today’s state of the market.

Fine Art Photography for Sale adds on eBay

“Enchanted Jetty”

Peter Lik “Enchanted Jetty” 1.5M Limited Edition Acrylic Mount
Available on eBay for $5,250 or best offer.

Peter Lik currently offers this piece for sale on his official site for $12,150.

“Summer Dreams”

Peter Lik “Summer Dreams” 1.5M Limited Edition Acrylic Mount
Available on eBay for the same $5,250 or best offer.
Peter Lik currently offers this piece on his official site for $10,950.

“Dark Side of the Moon”

Peter Lik “Dark Side of the Moon” 1.5M Limited Edition Acrylic Mount
Available on eBay for $5,000 or best offer.
Peter Lik currently offers this piece on his official site for $7,350.

“Autumn Mist”

Peter Lik “Autumn Mist” 1.5M Framed Limited Edition Acrylic Mount
Available on eBay for $6,500 or best offer.
Peter Lik currently offers this piece on his official site for $11,250.

How about the titles that are marked as sold out?

Peter Lik “Ghost”

Here is the famous Peter Lik’s “Ghost” 1.5M Framed currently available for sale on eBay for a whopping $39,950.

The seller of the last piece seems to be an original buyer and not an art gallery so that we can dismiss the possible markup. This piece most likely was purchased for less at the gallery since it is a regular Limited Edition print and not an Artist Proof.
Peter Lik is currently not offering this title for sale and marks it as sold out.
I have added this listing to the watchlist to follow it through and see if it sells eventually and will update this post when it does. Which I estimate this piece has the perfect chance to do.

In conclusion, I would summarize my findings in these words. Fine art photography can appreciate in certain conditions. Despite Peter Lik’s own words quoted by The New York Times – “It’s like a Mercedes-Benz. You drive it off the lot. It loses half its value.” The publicity behind some of the most spoken about titles is capable of steering collector’s interest and fetch potential sellers excellent profits. But you shouldn’t probably expect every print to follow this path and buy fine art photography as an investment only if you have a good artistic sense.