the longstanding trade in limited-edition reproductions of his etchings allows people such as Melbourne postgraduate student Jascha Zimmerman, 39, to become a serious collector"
Norman Lindsay’s artworks are so eagerly sought after that only the seriously wealthy can be a collector of his original works. However, the longstanding trade in limited-edition reproductions of his etchings allows people such as Melbourne postgraduate student Jascha Zimmerman, 39, to become a serious collector.
He has about 100 “facsimile” etchings, worth between $100 and $2,000. He estimates some have appreciated nearly 10 times the original price he paid, but are still worth far less than the originals. Some are worth up to $15,000. Zimmermann’s collection includes an assortment of books featuring prints of Lindsay’s oils and watercolours, a reproduction vase (worth about $700) and a pair of cast bronze bookends (worth about $2500).
He started collecting Lindsay by buying two etchings in an antique shop: “I just fell in love with the images. It’s become a bit of an obsession. I love the detail in them – the quality is just superb and the subjects are so varied and quirky; some are macabre and some are mischievous.”
Zimmerman’s interest is in the images and not the man. “I don’t know that much about him. To be honest, I just want to appreciate the art for what it is. I would not want to find out something about him that might alter my view of his work.
What is a facsimile etching?