Table of Contents

• Gallery Statement
• Directions to the Gallery
• Components of Value
• Scanning
• Condition Grading
• Terms of Sale
• Matting and Framing
• Shipping

Francis Frith gold-toned albumen print, circa 1870s

Statement

Morehouse Gallery deals in fine photographs from the 19th century to present day. We have a particularly rich inventory of American 20th century photographs. Our mission is to provide superior value -- in accessibility, quality, selection, service, and pricing -- to collectors worldwide. We are on the Internet because of the unprecedented opportunity it provides.

We provide assistance with collection building and divesting, pricing analysis, and other research. We represent clients at auctions internationally. We monitor live and internet-based auctions and advise clients about buying or selling in these markets.

Sales are through the online gallery, at trade shows, and by private appointment. Holdings are deeper than what is on the web catalogue at any given moment. Please inquire if there are particular examples you seek.

Morehouse Gallery was founded in 1999 by Richard Morehouse. Richard is a graduate of The Putney School, St. John's College, and Yale School of Management and lives with his wife and kids in Brookline.

Directions to the Gallery

We are located in Brookline at 3 Regent Circle, just off Beacon Street, between Dean Road and the Star Market. We are easily accessible by the C (Green) Line. Parking is directly in front.

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Hours are by appointment. Please call ahead at 617-848-8177.

Components of Value

The value of a photograph is related to numerous factors, including the:

• importance of the artist;
• importance of the image (or the quality of an image in the case of an unknown photographer);
• scarcity of the image;
• condition of the print;
• print date in relation to the image date
• size of the print;
• provenance (i.e., previous ownership);
• photographic medium (e.g., silver vs. platinum print).

An excellent way to get a sense for what a photograph is worth is to look at previous auction results for the same or for a similar photograph. When doing so, bear in mind that a number of issues will affect the analysis, including:

• supply and demand factors at the time of the previous auction result (e.g., was there a glut of similar material sold then? Was the bidding thin or were there many interested bidders?)
• changes in the economy and in the art market over the intervening time;
• material differences in the aforementioned factors between the previously auctioned piece and the piece in question (e.g., differences in condition)
• the fact that photographs often are auctioned in lots of more than one, requiring the analyst to aportion the price to the individual photographs that comprise the lot.

Scanning

Morehouse Gallery uses high quality scanning technology to convey the most accurate and complete information possible.

The objective of the image scans is to convey the composition, color, and tonality of the piece as accurately as possible. If, for example, the piece is low contrast, then so is the scan. Tonality is never "improved" for the video display, only to have the buyer upset when the actual piece arrives in the mail. Jpeg compression is set to high such that one cannot detect any evidence of the compression.

On the other hand, verso scans (the back of the photograph) is sometimes enhanced (e.g., sharpened, darkened) to ensure that physical defects as well as signatures, inscriptions, handstamps and other markings are plainly visible.

Condition Grading

Condition grading is the means by which print defects, if any, are disclosed. Grading has nothing to do with the quality of the image itself, including the photographer's choice of subject, lense, cropping, tonal renderings, and other artistic factors .

There are four categories of defects that affect a photograph's condition grade:

1. Chemical Defects and Color Changes. Includes foxing, fading, yellowing, silvering, or other color changes caused by exposure to light, inadequate fixing or washing, and/or other chemical changes.
2. Physical Defects. Tears, emulsion cracks, thinness of the paper base, surface wear, corner wear, folds, and other physical harm to the emulsion surface, emulsion support, or the original mount.
3. Foreign Material. Stains, soiling, poor spotting, and other foreign material in the emulsion or the original mount.
4. Original Defects. Includes original defects in the printing paper, printing defects, and lack of spotting.

There are seven grades, with no intermediate steps -- borderline cases are given the lower grade. They are:

1. Mint. Fresh, with no defects.
2. Excellent. No defects.
3. Near Excellent. With very minor defects. Generally excludes all Category I image defects, tears, emulsion cracks, thinness of the paper base, poor spotting and lack of spotting. Defects are invisible in the framed piece but are visible with a loupe or with harsh side lighting.
4. Very Good. With minor defects from any of the four categories. Defects are invisible in the framed piece.
5. Good. With one or more minor visible defects.
6. Fair. With one or more significant visible defects in the image area. An image is usually not collectible in this condition unless it is extremely rare and important.
7. Poor. With major defects. This category is not used.

Grading is conservative and even-handed. Defect descriptions are always given for grades less than excellent. Standards are not lowered for older pieces.

Terms of Sale

• All orders are paid in full prior to shipping.
  
  
• Prices are as marked and subject to change at any time.
  
  
• Discounts may sometimes be applied to large orders.
  
  
• Pieces are sold without mat and frame unless otherwise indicated.
  
  
• Shipment is within 5 business days of receipt of payment, unless other arrangements are explicitly reached between the gallery and the buyer.
  
  
• Returns may be made within 7 days for a refund. Buyer pays shipping. After 7 days, sales are final.
  
  
• Returned pieces must be in exactly the same condition as received, packed in the original shipping materials.
  
  Otherwise, they will not be accepted.
  
  
  

Matting and Framing

- Henry Ford, speaking to a group of car dealers in 1921 about the Model T.

Framing is a local business. For anything large or aesthetically complicated, you will be best served by a good local framer.

On the other hand, many pictures thrive (aesthetically and otherwise) in a 4-ply archival mat and a simple black frame. In those cases, the convenience and immediacy of buying a wall-ready photograph may outweigh the advantages of local framing.

The job of mat and frame is to protect the piece; be of a suitable scale and size and design; isolate the picture in a way that is consistent with the the artist's intentions; provide tonal reference points for the highlights, midtones, and shadows; and coexist with other things in the room where it is hung; minimize reflections and the effects of inadequate lighting; and be durable. The frame is successful if these objectives are considered elegantly and well.

We offer simple hardwood frames in black and hand-finished with two coats of natural oil and one of finishing wax. The glass is non-reflective, scratch-proof plexiglass. We invariably choose a white mat board for a cold-toned print and an off-white mat board for a warm-toned print. Everything close to the photograph -- mat board, mounting corners, foam core, and tape -- is archival and of first quality.

Having avoided complexity, we can offer high-quality at a low cost:

Shipping

• Shipping is by Fedex, UPS or the US Postal Service. We will accomodate your preference in shipper.
  
  
• Insurance is required.
  
  
• Shipment is within 5 business days of receipt of payment, unless other arrangements are explicitly reached between the gallery and the buyer.
  
  
• Items are carefully packaged to prevent in transit damage. Please open carefully and retain the packaging materials in case of return shipment.

© 2004 Morehouse Gallery·3 Regent Circle Brookline MA 02445 USA·617-848-8177·inquiries@morehousegallery.com