How do I sell this valuable photograph of Bob Dylan

January 12, 2012 12:11 PM

I own an original and fairly valuable framed photograph of bob dylan which I need to sell before the end of the month. It is signed by the photographer who recently died. Where can I find a buyer?

I have put it on ebay but it does not seem like it is selling.

posted by Charlie Lesoine to media & arts (13 answers total)

Depends on who the photographer is.
posted by Ardiril at 12:20 PM on January 12

It's Barry Feinstein.
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 12:33 PM on January 12

Ebay has taken a hit over the last couple years as a marketplace for collectibles of this caliber -- too much fraud, in my opinion, has scared away the investors. I would find a gallery in LA that handles similar works and ask for their recommendation.
posted by Ardiril at 12:50 PM on January 12

Where are you located? I could recommend a few contacts in Southern California.
posted by Arbac at 1:08 PM on January 12

@Arbic

I am in Los Angeles.
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 1:20 PM on January 12

Perfect! I'll shoot some emails out and see if I know anyone that could lend a hand with this type of photo. I'll MeMail you some contacts if they think they can help. What sort of documentation do you have re: authenticity and provenance?

Today through January 16th happens to be the Photo LA show. You might want to head over to Santa Monica and check it out. There should be more than a few galleries exhibiting there that would be able to speak with you about it.
posted by Arbac at 1:30 PM on January 12

Rockaway Records in the Silverlake neighborhood of LA sells music collectibles like this. I don't know whether they take on consignment (which might be good) or prefer to buy outright for reselling (which might not be good) but a call might be worthwhile...

http://www.rockaway.com/online/online/index.php
posted by soulbarn at 1:44 PM on January 12

I have no documentation unfortunately. Barry was a family friend, and it was the first print from the negative...
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 1:56 PM on January 12

@Arbic

Thanks!
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 2:32 PM on January 12

Drive to Las Vegas and sell it to these guys? Seems like the sort of thing they buy. And you might be on TV?
posted by jeffamaphone at 3:14 PM on January 12

Do you know where or what event the photo was taken at?
posted by Arbac at 3:32 PM on January 12

@Arbic

It was taken in 1966 in Liverpool, UK. I assume when Dylan was touring England at the time. The negative was not used to print from until 2001 however.
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 3:35 PM on January 12

This Los Angeles gallery has some Barry Feinstein photos. Maybe they'd buy it.

It's a shame you have to sell it right away. I'd think your best bet would be to find an auction house and consign it.
posted by MegoSteve at 6:00 PM on January 12