Art Collecting 101

Art Collecting 101 is an indispensable guide for anyone who has bought or is considering buying art. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned collector, this book is an invaluable tool and reference - whether you buy art for decoration, pride and prestige, investment, or any combination.

This handy reference covers the gamut of buying art. From the pitfalls of buying art on the Internet to bidding on art sold on television to knowing what to listen for and what to ask at an art gallery, this book has it all. Do you understand what makes a work of art, say an etching or lithograph, an original? An entire chapter is devoted to that. Do you know what a giclee is and why it is not original, as many gallery people contend? You'll find the answer in the handy glossary of terms. Explanations of the most important printmaking techniques could add to the pleasure you get out of your art. You should also appreciate the chapter on 20th century masters as an investment.

It is a very portable book, 5.5X8.5 inches and less than eighty pages, so you can take it with you on vacations or whenever you do gallery hopping. Yet it is chock full of the information you need. Armed with the knowledge you get from this book will lessen the likelihood of you overpaying or buying something that may not be what you think it is.