Posted by Noel Chiappa (98.166.150.196) on March 11, 2011 at 00:32:26:
In Reply to: Re: kunisada prints posted by Paul Griffith on January 04, 2011 at 03:44:39:
"Early Kunisada has always been more than 'several hundred dollars'"
Not so. Consider Lot #6 from the recent Auction Ukiyo-E Sale #365 (closed January 17, 2011).
It was described as "Iwai Shijaku I as a barefoot courtesan", date "1810's" (which I think is pretty accurate - maybe early 1820s, looking at it, but certainly no later); with condition, colour and impression all listed as "fine". It failed to get any bids at all - at the munificent opening price of GBP 80!
"certain star designs are still worth many thousands of pounds"
Of course there are a few exceptional pieces which are worth far more than the average print. This is true of most woodblock artists: Hiroshige, Hokusai, etc, etc. They are also very rare, and are seen only once in a very great while.
Which is why I said good Kunisda prints were "several hundred US$ (or more)": please note the 'or more' - that would be for those rare, more desirable prints.
Noel