The Intrepid Art Collector: The Beginner's Guide to Finding, Buying, and Appreciating Art on a Budget

Hunter gives a good overview of how to go about collecting art, and this book should take a beginning collector pretty far. While it's not exactly a page turner, it's pretty readable for those interested in the subject.The book runs through the major collecting categories including paintings, sculpture, prints, posters, photography, oriental rugs, Native American art, African art, and antiquities. In each category she offers broad pointers for recognizing things like quality, scarcity, age, how to recognize originals from reproductions, as well how to avoid common pitfalls and scams that collectors run into. This book isn't going to make you an expert in any of these subjects, but it should point you in the right direction and get you asking the right questions.The second part deals with actually acquiring these items. Hunter outlines protocols, etiquette, and the pros and cons of working with dealers, consultants, auction houses, as well as scavenging for finds in places like eBay and garage sales. Most of her tips are useful and thoughtful, though they often they boil down to the common refrain found throughout this book, that you should seek out a trusted expert for guidance.Some minor complaints: This book was written in 2006, and the options for buying art online have exploded since then. This subject is covered briefly, but probably warrants additional material in another edition. Also, Hunter offers some additional resources for collectors to augment the information presented, but there's not too much there. I would have liked to see some additional pointers on where I can bone up on collecting photography, for instance.

This book served my purpose completely: I wanted to understand how the art market works, and what collectors should be aware of, and it gave me exactly this. No bells and whistles, just the thing needed.

Left our the rest of the country. A good book from a "dealer of some sort" from the NY area,

This is a great starter reference for the novice. The guidance is sound, and Lisa Hunter's enthusiasm is contagious. A few color photographs would have been nice, but wisely this book focuses on cultivating the reader's own intelligence and knowledge rather than dictating taste. If you have ever been interested in starting an art collection of your own, or buying that Kashmiri silk rug, a little research is a good thing. This is a grand place to start.

It arrived as advertised. Originally a library copy well read. Information is helpful.

This book was the easiest to read of all of the art collecting books I have read. Lisa does a fantastic job of showing ways that art collecting can improve our lives without making us wealthier. If you preparing to be an art investor read this book to remind yourself of the fun of collecting!

Only part way through this book but, so far, it is highly informative and I am learning a great deal. Looking forward to buying additional works of art in the future now that I understand the art market a bit better.

Item claimed to be sent out on 10/11/09...have not received it, current date at writing 11/12/09...suspect that it has been bundled with a stephen king's pre-order release hence the delay...not much help offered from amazon yet except asking me to wait...

Only buy this book if the following criteria apply to you:(a) you are American;(b) you are around 13 years of age (as that seems to be the age group the writing style implies will be reading this);(c) you are a very timorous person without an ounce of intrepidness in your body.