Well Eric, I'm not the one who made up the ACEO rules. But have been around ACEOs since April of 2005. My interpretation has been that Editions meant limited - or else why bother if they are mass produced.
Anyway, it probably doesn't matter as I'm not aware of anyone doing open editions of ACEOs on ebay at the moment (note, I say ebay, as there is another site that is promotion ACEO/ATC prints heavily - mainly because they get money by printing them!). If there are any open editions listed, I don't think they get much response/sales, as most people want close to a one-off. I've watched one or two artists do this. They no longer list.
I can understand you wanting to sell prints rather than originals. It is good marketing - but also it works for some, and only in some markets. I know some of my ACEOs have taken me 6 hours to do (ACEO size). I think it takes selling originals first to get an interest in subsequent prints - where people are disappointed at having not won an original, then want a print at least.
Many ACEO collectors will never buy a print. I am more inclined to buy a LE photo, or etching than a 'printed' print. I have never bought a print that is not a LE.
I see LE prints differently. I see them as an opportunity to still procure a 'collectible', but at a reasonable price. Remember that some of the prints of some masters sell for MORE than the original art. Some people who are 'into' collecting art prints (all sizes) make a whole science of it - for instance - collecting print number 44 (e.g) of a run of 500 for each yearly release by a particular artist.
I was recently talking about pricing. And about the mass-marketing of wonderful art - done as greeting cards. Would I be likely to collect an 'open edition' of a greeting card? No way - and so I see open editions as exactly that - another piece of paper out there in the world. Sorry if that sounds offensive. I don't mean it to be. I have seen some wonderful things of all kinds mass-produced.
True that plates would wear out over time, but other plates get made. I know of many times this has happened, and indeed own 3rd printing prints of one particular artist - each one a LE, but now released 3 times.
It won't be what we determine what we want to offer as a print for ACEOs. I like to keep the collectiblity aspect of them. For I am sure it is only the collectibility that will cause them to survive. I have watched art for many years, and art sales. The reason I love ACEOs so much is their ready collectibility - the same with small format art.
It will be the buyers that will determine if what you offer is acceptable - the buyers are usually ones who won't know or read 'rules' anyway - so you're not offending anyone, as people will do what they wish with no real 'police' around to enforce anything.
Great artwork, by the way.
~Jillian
~Jillian
artist, Jillian Crider
... google me!
