I have a beautiful original oil painting signed by Norton. I have done a lot of research and have determined that it is not one of the famous Norton's. What is a general rule for a starting price when I am ready to sell assuming fair to good condition, mid to early 1900s creation and 36x30 inches?

How could you expect a site like this to appraise for you. I could if you brought the article to me but otherwise no.

An accurate appraisal can only be done in person, not online. Do you have an art museum near you?

Your best bet is to find an art appraiser, someone specializing in older art, in your area. It's next to impossible to give an appraisal online. Pictures aren't accurate or detailed enough to judge the piece you have, to see if it's authentic, to judge the condition it's in. It's just really not possible to do.

Google art appraisers in your area. Many will do an appraisal for free or a small fee, and may even offer to buy.

Add:

I would love to see a picture of your painting, if you can post one.

How could you expect a site like this to appraise for you. I could if you brought the article to me but otherwise no.
Could you really? Are you an accredited appraiser? The question didn't ask for an appraisal. Simply an informed opinion. I thought this was a site on which a person could draw from a collective stream of knowledge and experience. We all have our field of expertise. That is why we come to these sights. An official appraisal on this piece would likely cost more than its value. My guy charges 20$ to just tell me if what I have is worth shipping to him. An individual experienced with these lower level folk art type pieces could certainly provide a bit of insight. Without that experience I wouldn't expect a person to reply... but you did. With such a vast community, we have access solve anything. Or we can play the cynic. With accusations of ignorance he is blind to the light that shines.

Could you really? Are you an accredited appraiser? The question didn't ask for an appraisal. Simply an informed opinion. I thought this was a site on which a person could draw from a collective stream of knowledge and experience. We all have our field of expertise. That is why we come to these sights. An official appraisal on this piece would likely cost more than its value. My guy charges 20$ to just tell me if what I have is worth shipping to him. An individual experienced with these lower level folk art type pieces could certainly provide a bit of insight. Without that experience I wouldn't expect a person to reply... but you did. With such a vast community, we have access solve anything. Or we can play the cynic. With accusations of ignorance he is blind to the light that shines.

No, Tickle isn't an appraiser. As far as I know, there is no one on this site that can even begin to help you appraise your piece.

We do all have our field of expertise, and we do all know the site we're on, and who else is on it. We gave you the advice we did because we know (unless someone new has joined with this knowledge) that there is no one here (at least among the experts), that can give you a valid reply.

I gave you the best advice I can, and I stand by it. You may find someone on another site that can give you a guess, but no appraiser will appraise something sight unseen. I'm not an appraiser, but I have many old pieces, some dating back to the 1700's, and the only option I've found is to pay the price to have it properly appraised. If you want to sell it, no buyer will buy it without an actual appraisal, in writing. They won't care if you found someone online that claimed to know the value.

Sorry, but those are the facts when you're dealing with any antique or piece of art.

Good luck.


The question didn't ask for an appraisal.

The title of your post is
Art appraisal. So yes, you did ask for an appraisal.

Just saying.

Could you really? Are you an accredited appraiser? The question didn't ask for an appraisal. Simply an informed opinion

Actually the title if your question is Art appraisal not Art opinion.

Actually the title if your question is Art appraisal not Art opinion.

Exactly! Already pointed that out. :)

Exactly! Already pointed that out. :)

I guess at this point I can only apologize. I certainly over reacted. Yep I did say appraisal

I guess at this point I can only apologize. I certainly over reacted. Yep I did say appraisal

No apology necessary.

I do get that you want an answer, but I do have to add this. If you're not looking to sell it, why do you want an appraisal? I do understand having one for insurance purposes, but as I said before, if that's what you want, no insurance company will accept an appraisal done online without a certificate of appraisal from an actual appraiser.

If you're just curious to know it's value, try eBay, or other selling sites. You won't find the actual value (you'll find what people think it's worth), but you may get an idea of what someone is willing to pay for it.

It's not an easy thing to do. I've been here too many times, and the only valid option I found was shelling out money to have it authentically appraised with a certificate of appraisal.

That's really the best advice you'll get anywhere.

Good luck.

I'd still love to see the painting.

Could you really? Are you an accredited appraiser? The question didn't ask for an appraisal. Simply an informed opinion. I thought this was a site on which a person could draw from a collective stream of knowledge and experience. We all have our field of expertise. That is why we come to these sights. An official appraisal on this piece would likely cost more than its value. My guy charges 20$ to just tell me if what I have is worth shipping to him. An individual experienced with these lower level folk art type pieces could certainly provide a bit of insight. Without that experience I wouldn't expect a person to reply... but you did. With such a vast community, we have access solve anything. Or we can play the cynic. With accusations of ignorance he is blind to the light that shines.

You offered an description of your piece, and didn't include a picture, which would have helped a bit, but generally to give an semi-accurate value would entail having the artwork in hand to be seen. No I am not an accredited appraisor. I didn't say I was. Yes, you came to the right site and we do have many experts here in different fields who normally try to help out an OP. but if you are trying to save a buck by asking us, then no, you will not get that expertise.

I have not helped anyone coming to our site for an opinion or an appraisal, but have assisted others in my own community with this.