How Does The Akoun Guide Work ?
This book is the final result of 25 years of work.A computer has helped the author to "digest" literally thousands of auction prices from various international auction houses.For each artist the author has collected and transposed all the prices to a reference and imaginary " 15 P "-sized (i.e 26" x 20" or 65cm x 50cm) oil painting to obtain the average price. As the author has organized the information on a chronological basis, he has been able to point out any fluctuation in the rate of a given painter during the period. Any price far above the average has been earmarked.How to get the estimate of a painting by using the Akoun guide?
For example, the painting that you want to estimate with the Akoun rules measures 55cm x 46cm (21" 3/4 x 18"). Go to the size correspondence table and get its format. It is " 10 F ". The Akoun " 15 P " price is euro 1,000 for this painter. You just have to divide the Akoun price by 15 and multiply the result by 10. In this case : euro 1,000 / 15 * 10 = euro 667. They say that the value of the Akoun point for this painter is euro 67 (1,000 / 15).
What does include the Akoun price?
The Akoun price is the average of the collected auction house results. These results are hammer prices. The winner of the auction has to pay extra fees to the auction house, so 20% to 30% more. So a painting won for euro 1,000 (the value collected by Akoun) actually costs uo to euro 1,300 to the winner. Not euro 1,000.
Why results for two paintings of the same format by the same painter can be different?
For example, a painter is specialized in seascapes. The amateurs want seascapes. So a landscape or a portrait can be cheaper. But if the painting is so original that it becomes exceptional, the landscape or the portait can be dearer... Other example, a very well located landscape costs more than an unknown site even if the quality is the same. In the Provençal painting, the Port of Marseilles costs more than fishing boats on a beach.
Why the gallery price is different from the Akoun price?
Art dealers are among the best customers of the auction houses. They keep informed of sales by poring over national and foreign catalogues they receive. They move to shows prior sales to observe and have in hands the desired painting. They check condition, beauty and authenticity. Only after, the day of the sale, they bid to try to get it. If they do not get it they will have wasted their time. Otherwise, after having paid 20% to 30% extra fees, very often they are forced to have it cleaned or restored. They then choose a suitable framework and finally propose the painting for sale.
The amateur will find in the gallery a work that pleases him, ready to satisfy his taste.
All this is paid and this is normal.