Question about signing Aceo

[waddy_point2]

I am wondering if someone can enlighten me to the rules of aceo and the signing of them. Is it a golden rule that the back of the aceo should be signed and dated?

[artistjillian]

Noone can enforce what goes on the back of ACEOs. I have a definite preferences as a buyer. I'll boost a thread on this subject for you. ~Jillian

[artistjillian]

http://groups.ebay.com/thread.jspa?forumID=300009040&threadID=101481371&messageID=109366292#10936629...

[artistjillian]

http://groups.ebay.com/thread.jspa?forumID=300009040&threadID=101360317&messageID=108455843#10845584...

[artistjillian]

I also have pre-printed cards in one of my supply packs at the moment. And you can search rubber stamps for stamps with writing for name, etc. for ATCs.

[artistjillian]

What I put on my backs is my personal identifying ACEO series numbering. The title. © (copyright symbol) my full name printed & year. My signature. Medium and sometimes surface. My website and sometimes my ebay id.

[waddy_point2]

Thankyou for all the information Jillian, reason l was asking was, l received a aceo few days back and the back was blank, really just wanted to know the ruling on them and that is if they should or shouldn’t be signed. Not that l wasn’t happy with the aceo, it just adorable l love it.

[artistjillian]

I have in my collection unsigned, blank backed ACEOs. I love them, but also won't buy again. I guess I'm too much into 'collecting', and wanting to know who's work I've got. But that is my personal choice. But also I DO believe that signing and full documentation (COA) etc is what makes the collectibility of these tiny treasures. I also feel that an artist values their own work if they take the time to document and sign it, and feel that the value of ACEOs will increase if 'we' all supplied such details. If you want to be taken professionally you should present your work professionally. If you do this you will be surprised how much more valued the owner will view your work. I know it is my personal idea or ideals and since ACEOs are such a personal thing, there is no way I can put my own opinions into general practice for others. But it is an issue I feel strongly about. I keep wondering if some day I will forget to sign a back and send one out blank. HA! Probably easily done. Then I will have to eat my own words. *grin*

[kerryoriginals]

Personally, I think they 'should' have as much info on them as possible since they are being made and sold as collectibles. Cards without the basic title, artists name, date and signature really lose value as a collectors piece because it may become impossible to identify the artist.

[white-jasmine-23]

I write a title, then medium, date, do (c) Olga Ziskin, year, sign it, add email/ebay id, and sometimes a little doodle of a cat in a dress 🙂

[art-by-lucy]

I once bought an ACEO and noticed that the listing didn't make note of whether or not the back was signed...I asked the Artists if they could make sure to sign the back as it would mean a lot to me....they did and were so happy I asked :D I sign all of mine and for a while now, I write: ACEO Original Art by (my full name) copyright symbol with Lucy and year title if there is one or at least I try to remember to do it all .... :) Lucy

[waddy_point2]

Im glad lm not the only one that feels like that about the signing of the back of a aceo, Even though lm still new to aceo collecting, to me its important that the back is signed and dated, silly maybe but to me l feel like its completed when its signed at the back. In the case of this artist she simply forgot as she was in a rush to get in out in the mail. No biggy as l have sent it back to her and she will finishes signing it. Neither one of us knew the rulings on the signing of the back, so l offered to find out for both of us. Truth is a loved her work so much l went and bought 3 more aceo from her.

[mw-artco]

Hmmmmm, I do number the backs of my ACEO but I am not in the habit of signing the back. My reasoning (and I seem to be in the minority) is that I have been painting on canvas for over 10 years and I have never written my full name, full date etc on the back of one of my paintings. I have an identifying signature that is used on all of my work and I always sign the year - these are both on the front of the piece (be it a 4'x4' painting or an ACEO.) I had thought of doing all the above mentioned stuff, but I figured that if I treat an ACEO like a painting, I had better treat like a painting all around. :D I always give my buyers the benefit of the doubt that I hold the copyright (and I mention it in my auctions) I figure that it goes unstated that its mine so I don't bother with the c and circle symbol. I suppose I could start signing them etc, if that was the consensus (of if requested) but I figured I would throw it out there that it might not be an oversight or an accident. :) Interesting thread.

[mw-artco]

I always give my buyers the benefit of the doubt that I hold the copyright (and I mention it in my auctions) I figure that it goes unstated that its mine so I don't bother with the c and circle symbol. That should read: "I always give my buyers the benefit of the doubt that they KNOW I hold the copyright" 😛 Its getting late. Two more thoughts - I personally don't put the title because I don't formally title my work. (my titles tend to be along the description line "Blue plate with apples" as opposed to "Thoughts of summer produce") While it is nice to hear a cross section of buyer's preferences (and they tend to sway popular vote, I'll be honest) I would be wary of making formal "rules" regarding the back of ACEO. (considering the lack of rules beyond 2.5 x 3.5 is what attracts a lot of artists) Also, regarding collectibility, if you ever watch "The Antiques Roadshow" it is interesting to note that they are very excited to see certain markings and lack of markings - a lot of those quirks can date a piece or separate it from a clever fake. Certain artists have well known symbols or hide things in thier pictures as opposed to formally adding a signature. I would think that providing all the information would be to help the buyer remember details of the purchase (and relive those exciting bidding wars!) as opposed to helping someone value a piece further on down the road. An appraiser doesn't need to see "oil on 140 lb Strathmore" to know that that is what is used. SO, still not saying for or against, just throwing some thoughts out there to buyers and sellers as to why or why not one would do things. Personally, I wouldn't stop collecting an artist's images because it lacks stuff on the back. I think that putting too much stuff on could have the opposite effect of looking professional - again, it is all in the presentation, I guess. Off to bed. 🙂

[booklover818]

I title my ACEOs so I do put the title on the back. Below that I put "by JFM" because this is how I am known and the month and year in numerals. I put the full date on the bottom (in numerals) that I painted the ACEO. It is all done in my handwriting. My latest ACEOs come with a COA that I print on my computer on card stock and handwrite the same info in the blanks. I cut my COAs to fit in the plastic sleeve that I put my ACEO in. Just another idea~~~Jan