Framed Original Landscape

Framed Original Landscape

Toltec's Tiffany-style pool table lights can be a great addition to any pool room. I took a fancy to their Popular Pearl line of lighting, so this review is focused on those.

The people of Toltec have this to say for themselves:

"Founded in the 1970's, Toltec is a family-owned and run company dedicated to creating quality and competitively priced lighting fixtures for your home. While quality and value continue to be the hallmarks that Toltec is famous for, we take pride in having taken the lead in the field of design. we are continually introducing new concepts and ideas while maintaining a close eye on tradition. At Toltec, we bridge all possible worlds."

Let me tell you, these Toltecs are some very finely crafted billiard lights. The stained glass is elegant and not too gaudy, giving just enough accent to your table and your pool room to really give you that 'warm-fuzzy' feeling.

My personal favorites are the #129 Popular Pearl Tiffany Light with Pearl and Green with Brass Channels and the #527E Popular Pearl Tiffany Light with Clear Ripple and ClearGlass with Brass Channels.The designs feature some exquisite glass finishes, and can bring some major charm and beauty to your pool table rooms.

The Pearl and Green runs about $475 with just 3 lights, but if you're like me, and want to light up a 9' pool table instead of those tiny little 7' or 8' tables, I'm guessing you'll need a longer fixture with an extra light bulb, bumping the cost up to $585. I'm not positive yet if the extra-bulb-upgrade actually gives you a longer pool table light, but I've sent their customer service a query, and I'll update this post as soon as they've responded (UPDATE: yes, the extra bulb extends the coverage area of the fixture). Now, I like this particular choice of pearl-and-green because the two-toned color scheme matches and compliments my favorite pool-felt color: deep green (so their other color choices, of course, would thus be ideal for tables covered in alternate, yet matching, colors).

The ClearGlass pool table lighting comes with only one choice: the 10 candelabra lights, and two lights pointing down. Asking price is $630, which is a bit hefty, but probably worth the budget-stretch considering how eye-catching it is. Brass and clear-glass candelabra lighting direct within your game rooms really adds an old-world touch. Imagine matching this with a warm dark-wood theme, one reminiscent of gas-lights and cobblestone streets. Add some 8 ball or 9 ball themed black-&-white framed posters to enhance the atmosphere, or even some old-school mafia B&W's full of tommy-guns and antique cars, and you've got yourself one jiving game room! My only worry with this light is that the candelabra lights might be too bright and distracting. I Kind of wish they had included an option for smoked-glass tinting to take away a bit of the glare.

Most of these Toltec Tiffany Billiard Lights are available in 2, 3 or 4 light configurations, even single-bulb pendants with attaching chains or light-stands. All Billiard lights come with enough chain, wiring and ceiling canopy for a nine-foot high ceiling. Extra chain and wire are available upon request at the time you place an order.

overall, I'd give them 4 out 5 stars. These are some top-notch lights, but I'll save the 5th star for something that really blows me away.

Please follow along if you'd like to learn more about selecting great pool table lights.

Come on over to The Attic where we review all sorts of nifty stuff and offer great tips and advice.

I have a framed "claude monet landscape near zaandam" lithograph painting made in with portal publications...

Does anyone know how much its worth?
Keep in mind that this is NOT original painting, but a LITHOGRAPH print. Also it has Claude monet signature on the left hand side.

Is it a Signed and numbered Limited Edition?

Most people could not afford to own an original piece of artwork by Picasso or Van Gogh, but having a copy of their masterworks wouldn't be such a bad idea. This is where the idea of a lithograph comes into play. A lithograph is an authorized copy of an original work created by the artist himself or other skilled craftsmen. A lithograph is rarely worth more than the original artwork it reproduces, but if the print quality is excellent and the production numbers are low, it may still have significant value in the art world.
Since the process for creating a lithograph can be just as time-consuming and detailed as an original painting, printing runs are often kept low to preserve value. A signed lithograph may have a set of numbers expressed as a fraction on one corner, such as 12/300. This means that the lithograph was the twelfth one produced in a series limited to three hundred prints. Some famous artists, notably Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, were more than willing to authorize or create numerous lithographs during their lifetimes. Others are not always eager to see their work reproduced on a commercial scale, making it more difficult to find authorized lithographs from them.

There are other ways of duplicating original artwork for the commercial market, so never assume the Monet print in an art store is indeed a lithograph. Ask the proprietor to confirm the printing method used to recreate your favorite piece of artwork. A signed lithograph may have more collectible value, but the print quality itself can be variable. When it comes to buying art, it is most important to buy what you like, regardless of the printing method.

It is obvious that the name of the artist is one of the major factors that determines the value of an art print or lithograph. But it is not as obvious why you can buy an original print by for instance Chagall for US$500 or for US$20,000. What is the difference? It is rarity. The print for US$20,000 is from an edition of 50 copies, signed and numbered by the artist.

The print for US$500 comes from an edition size of an estimated 5,000 without any numbering nor is it signed by the artist personally. But it is an original piece of art by Chagall nevertheless.
Prints by highly esteemed artists were often republished because of the great popularity - even after the artist's death. Consequently prices are under pressure. Prints by William Hogarth are a good example for this practice.
Condition
Old art prints will always have some flaws. If not, look twice! It might be a reproduction. While minor flaws like slight soiling are considered as normal - depending on age of course - other defects can reduce the value of a print considerably. Such defects are missing parts, large tears, trimming into the image, heavily faded colors, very obvious stains or run-out colors.
Quality of Impression
Prints taken early from a plate or woodblock are more precise and detailed in lines than later impressions. Depending on the technique, a block/plate is worn out after a certain amount of impressions. Hardly more than 2,000 impressions could be taken from a woodblock without a rather visible deterioration of quality.
Size
Larger prints tend to cost more than smaller ones. This rule of thumb is less valid for old prints than for modern ones.
Subject
Although rather irrational, the subject of a print has a great influence on value. Attractive subjects are cute animals, pretty women, nice landscapes, interesting portraits. Also unusual subjects can be in high demand. Commercially non-appealing subjects are everything ugly, gloomy, war-related. Also boring landscapes or ugly portraits do not sell well.
Provenance
Prints coming from a famous collection will usually yield a premium. http://www.artelino.com/articles/art_pri...
For AUTHENTICATION Services click on button to left.

http://www.freemanart.ca/gallery12.htm...

Other sites listed below;

http://www.engelen.com/links/prints.html...

http://pages.grandmasbasement.com/stores...

http://www.mcmaster.ca/museum/exhibition...

http://www.artnet.com/ag/fineartthumbnai...

Americana, Art & Illustrated & First Editions
with 19th Century Photography
Waverly Auctions conducts specialized sales of rare books, antique maps, prints, posters, and photographs, autographs and manuscripts, and other works on paper. Through years of experience, attention to detail, and a commitment to customer service, we have established a consistent and dependable marketplace for buyers and sellers of antiquarian properties.

http://www.waverlyauctions.com/index.htm...

http://www.waverlyauctions.com/219.htm...

Freemanart are experts working in the field of authentication & investigation into the legitimacy of Fine Art from all origins and time periods.

http://www.freemanart.ca/index.html...

You can get appraisals on line if you can't go in person.
Once you get a photo of the painting. Go to and upload a picture here for free at the http://www.flickr.com/ site or at http://ww.photobucket.com/.
Then post it at any of the following sites for the Appraisal.

http://antiques.about.com/od/onlineappra...

http://www.christies.com/appraisals_valu... One of The Best
http://www.sothebys.com/ As this one is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/igavel........

http://www.vwart.com/

http://www.findartinfo.com/

http://www.antiqueappraisals.net/.........

http://www3.sympatico.ca/appraisers/....... for sure for free
Frank Farmer Loomis is now online with a blog exploring the antiques universe, with tips, appraisals and more. Go to
www.middletownjournal.com/ antiques. If you have column questions, write to him at Middletown Journal, Attn: Frank Loomis IV, 52 S. Broad St., Middletown, Ohio, 45044 or e-mail MWallace@ coxohio.com

HOW TO LOCATE A REPUTABLE APPRAISER:
Gather referrals from friends and appraising associations.
Write to appraising associations and request their membership directories. Listed below are two of the largest appraising associations in the United States:
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS
P.O. Box 17265
Washington, DC 20041
(800) 272-8258
APPRAISERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
386 Park Ave South - 20th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 889-5404
Fax: (212) 889-5503
Web Site: www.appraisersassoc.org
Email: aaa1@rcn.com
ISA
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS
1131 SW 7th St #105
Renton, WA 98055
Toll Free: (888) 472-4732
Fax: (206) 241-0436
Web Site: www.isa-appraisers.org
Email: isa@isa-appraisers.org
SPECIAL NOTE: The American Society of Appraisers estimates that only 25 percent of the 120,000 appraisers in the United States belongs to one of the major evaluation societies. Such societies establish codes of ethics by which their members are required to adhere. In addition to a code of ethics, the appraisers are tested for their expertise.
OR:
Refer to the Yellow Pages in the Telephone Book under "Appraisers" of "Antique Dealers."
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOCATE AN APPRAISER:
Review their credentials
Verify their membership to an appraising association
Request references
Determine appraisal fees
Request a written contract which outlines the following items:
The scope of work
The delivery date of the appraisal
The appraisal fee
The objective nature of appraisal findings
A statement that the appraiser cannot act as an advocate or negotiator in disputes over appraised goods.

If you have the time, you could also go to your local library and select a few different books. There are several available and you'll be able to compare information and prices
Hope this works out for you.
Cheers!